Being healthy is not just about having a healthy body or mind, it is also about spiritual health. Being human consists of all these things, body, mind and spirit; we are spiritual beings just as much as we are physical beings, and yet, when the going gets tough people often write off the spiritual as unimportant.
Good spiritual health is characterised by an underlying sense of peace and oneness with God, others and self. This doesn’t mean that we don’t have all of the human emotions as well – Jesus demonstrated anger, frustration and sorrow, as well as joy and happiness.
When our spiritual health is not good, so we experience a deep unease and a sense of alientation from God, others and ourselves.
In truth, most people will experience both of these ways of being as they journey through life. Painful life experiences such as relationship breakdown, deterioration of physical health or bereavement can impact on our peace of mind, as can our own behaviour and actions.
Finding space to think and reflect and finding fellowship can be a great way to maintain our spiritual health. You don’t have to have in your own mind a clear position on your faith and beliefs to be spiritually healthy, when it comes to faith we are all on a journey of discovery. Being open to learning and exploring our beliefs with others is a really important part of maintaining our spiritual health.
“Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death” Romans 8.2
Useful Links
Diocese of West Yorkshire & The Dales – For information about Christianity and suggestions about prayer
rejesus – An excellent interactive spirituality website
Church of England website – Information about faith, worship, life events and about the Church of England
