Body and Soul

April 18

Read: Proverbs 18

Body and Soul

“A man's spirit will endure sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?” (v.14)

What is more important: physical health or “spiritual” health? I don’t know if you have ever read or heard any stories from people who have endured tremendously difficult things; but there is a strange and powerful common thread - they all had a deep sense of meaning, purpose, and a will to survive. This is what carries us as humans. When we have no meaning… no purpose… we shrivel up. When our “spirit is crushed” we cannot bear it. How often do we choose safety and familiarity at the expense of our “spirit being crushed”? There are two profound ways our “spirit will endure sickness”.

When a person has a clear picture of their meaning and purpose - a “reason to live” - they can endure all manner of sickness and trial. There are times, for fear of “sickness”, that we do things that “crush our spirit”. This is not good. In the end what we need is “spirit” … so much more than the avoidance of illness! Now one of the reason that I love reading the Proverbs is that they are filled with a discussion on “wisdom”. This is NOT a call to be unwise, or to act like a fool. Nevertheless, this does outline a very important point for us. As God’s people, one of the things we are doing for each other to making sure our “spirit’s are not crushed”… because a crushed spirit is unbearable!

The second way a “spirit endures” sickness is by the virtue of the fact that our spirits will continue on after we die and someday be put into a new body. (cf. 1 Cor. 15) In this way, a “man’s spirit will endure sickness”. We will only “put up with” and “endure” the ailments of this world when our spirit is rooted in both of these truths. We are built, as God’s people, for greater things… a part of a bigger story. We are built for eternity - and our spirits know this! “Also, (God) has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecc. 3:11) Even though we can’t fathom it (think mind / understand) eternity has been woven into our spirits. We know, deep down, that our purpose is rooted in something greater than this life. When our “meaning” or “purpose” are anchored only in this lifetime - our spirits cried “foul” and we will never endure the ailments of this world.

So what is it that we must do when we feel hopeless, as if life is meaningless, and that we do not have a purpose? Well, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” (v.10) When we feel as though we will be crushed and we cannot bear it - we run into the tower of the Lord. We run to the “name of the Lord”. This is where we will “be saved”. We will not be “crushed” here. Notice how the verb in verse 14 is “crushed”. This is how it feels right? We feel “crushed”… like the weight of the world is upon us. We feel like we will suffocate under the avalanche of our problems and issues. When we climb into the tower of the Lord - we will not be “crushed”. Why is that? In part, it is where our SPIRIT will find its meaning and purpose. It is where we find the strength to endure!

How is your spirit? Is it crushed? For fear of enduring sickness have you neglected your spirit? Is it time to embrace your greater meaning and purpose in light of the fact that your “spirit will endure” and you have eternal life in Christ? Is it worth crushing your spirit for the sake of “safety”… for the sake of “avoiding illness”? Is it WISE to allow your spirit to be crushed for fear of having to endure something hard? God is calling a people to himself, and he is doing it through YOU. You are part of something bigger. What you do in this lifetime matters! (cf. Rev. 14:13) We - as God’s people - are the hands and feet of Christ. What God is doing in this world… he does through YOU. Come to the tower of the Lord - and find your refuge and strength. Do not go on crushing your spirit… denying it of what it needs. Your spirit will endure sickness but a crushed spirit is unbearable. Love you guys! - JDP