Last blog, I discuss 3 steps to health: Thinking the Word of God, Meditating on the Word of God, and Speaking the Word of God. Let’s look at Proverbs 4:21-24 TPT again.

Fill your thoughts with my words
until they penetrate deep into your spirit.
Then, as you unwrap my words,
they will impart true life and radiant health
into the very core of your being.

So above all, guard the affections of your heart,
for they affect all that you are.
Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being,
for from there flows the wellspring of life.
Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words.
Be free from using perverse words no matter what!

We see in this Proverb that thinking Kingdom thoughts and mediating on Kingdom words will bring life and health to our body and soul. Apostle Paul said in 3 John 1:2 that he prayed that we would be in good health as our soul prospered. I firmly believe that a prospering soul or the “welfare of our innermost being” will lead to a healthy mind and body. Thinking, meditating, and speaking God’s life giving promises over ourselves and others will bring peace and joy. God’s Words are Spirit and Life.

I want to discuss three things that we must get rid of to experience true peace and joy in our innermost being. I believe that the Lord Jesus showed me that fear and condemnation are at the root of illness. Doug Addison, who is an author and prophet, said that there are three things that we need to get rid of to hear the voice of God more clearly- fear, lack of love, and judgement. When I heard Doug Addison speak on these three things, I realized that it correlated with what the Holy Spirit had spoken to me about illness. Condemnation can be broken down into lack of love and judgement either of ourselves or others. Lack of love and judgement are rooted in negative emotions and negative emotions left to brood can affect the very core of our being. Being emotionally stable, leads to a healthier more joyful life. Fear and condemnation are very destructive to our physical and emotional health. We learned from my last blog that negative emotions can cause our telomeres to be shorter and die faster leading to accelerated aging and chronic illness. Again, Proverb 4:21-24 gives us great insight into emotional and physical health. We are told that we are to “guard the affections of our heart for they affect all that we are”.

Affection as defined by Wikipedia is a “disposition or state of mind or body that is often associated with feeling or type of love.” In other words, the “affections of our heart” is our love toward ourselves, others, and God. How does one “walk in love” after being rejected or hurt deeply? Our example is Christ, who after being tortured still had the heart to say “Father, forgive them for they know what they are doing.” The love that Christ showed can only come by the supernatural love that He gives to His lovers or believers. The other piece of this puzzle is loving ourselves. We can not truly love others until we love ourselves. Learning to love who we are in Christ is first and far most the first step to loving others. This can only be done by first accepting the love God has shown us through His son, Jesus. Love is an powerful emotion and it affects all that we are. The love of God is shed abroad through our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit is the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead. This Holy Spirit resides in us. We have the power to overcome all things through Him who loves us. Our job is to go to Him for healing of our broken and wounded hearts and not allow bitterness, hate, or unforgiveness to take root. This is only done by accepting His peace and His joy. His perfect love drives out fear, hate, bitterness, and unforgiveness.

Words have power weather spoken or thought. The very last verse of our proverbs tells us to be careful with our words. Hurtful words towards others or ourselves are damaging. You and I were created in the very image of God. Everything He has made is beautiful. Love and mercy are the keys that will unlock the doors of our hearts to love as Christ did. Love covers a multitude of sin and mercy triumphs over judgement. My friends, Jesus is the one who will guard our hearts. Our job is to not let our hearts be troubled. All we have to do is go to Him (Jesus) and allow Him to gives us His peace. Love is a choice and not always easy but the reward is great. I will leave you with this meditation for today:

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (^[adefinite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7