We must grow within chastisement and discipline
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
If God truly loves us, then He will ensure that we mature through chastisement (punishment) and discipline. Without the chastisement, we cannot be truly children of God! We must endure His chastisement that will allow us to strengthen ourselves and have a sharp mind, not doubled-mind as we would not be two-faced to another in real life.
Hebrews 12:6
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Colossians 3:22-24
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
2 Timothy 2:20-22
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Our spiritual diet is also important as our physical health would be to longevity (life expectancy)
Deuteronomy 8:2-32 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.3And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
"God's Word is just as important to spiritual life as food is to physical life. Just as one must discipline himself to provide and eat physical food, so must one exercise discipline to seek and ingest spiritual food. If one will not do this, then, just as physical health will decline without adequate food, a person's inadequate spiritual diet will lead to spiritual disease. At the very least, one's quality of life will be severely compromised." (Reference taken from "Spiritual Food" by John W. Ritenbaugh)
We must be strict with how we eat for the sake of our health if living longer is our desire. This also illustrates with our spiritual health...we must consume God's Word daily that will enable us to have a strong relationship with God which is a truly Christian's lifestyle. Reading the scriptures every day will not only allow us to strongly bond with God but also helps protect ourselves from any sinful habit that we may possess eventually in life.
1 Chronicles 22:13 KJV
"Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed."
In addition to best health, I also wish to emphasize that if you feel that you may have depression or any issue that appears to disturb your mental health, it is best advised that you seek a therapist (who is also a believer.) Your spiritual health is important to God as your physical health would be. It is the top priority that we be fully abled-bodied in every way so we can best serve the LORD.
