Getting to Paul’s Place
I’ll admit it. Up until recently, I wasn’t very enthusiastic about Paul’s epistles.
Maybe it has something to do with the way I go about my Bible reading. Usually, I start with Matthew 1 and read a chapter a day. So Paul has a hard act to follow, coming so soon after the story of the greatest figure in world history.
But after reading Paul’s letters many times, his brilliance finally dawned on me. And it hit me in one particular way.
I’ve had a lot of health challenges and I’ve spent a lot of time studying health. That study has shown me how many trendy wellness ideas have their root in scripture.
Paul is maybe the best example. I think he nailed the absolute key to living a healthy life in two passages from Philippians.
The first is Philippians 1:21 (NIV), which says, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Number two comes a few chapters later. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV)
In other words, Paul is saying that if he’s here serving Jesus, that’s great, and if he’s in heaven with Jesus, that’s great too.
The next verses again see Paul in a can’t lose situation. By relying on God, he’s fine no matter what.
Notice how this attitude totally negates fear. And from my personal struggles, I can tell you that fear is the number one enemy of health.
I’ll repeat that. Fear is the number one enemy of health.
The words faith and healing go together for a reason.
If you can truly get to the head space Paul occupies, where you’re perfectly okay with either living or dying, then you’ve removed the biggest fear of all - the fear of death. And that, probably more than anything else, is what allows you to really live.
I don’t know about you, but for me, working to reach the place of serenity Paul achieved is the definition of easier said than done.
It’s all about your walk with God, getting to know Him and trust him day after day after day. Fortunately, as Paul said in Philippians 4, through Him all things are possible. Even this.