How Belief's Wellbeing Directly Impacts Mental and Devotional Health

How vital is your faith's wellbeing to you? Imagine if the health of your faith directly influenced the wellbeing of your entire being. Would that revelation change how you nurture your spirituality?

This question isn't just rhetorical; it's a cornerstone of understanding the profound connection between our belief’s inner dialogue and our overall mental health. The way we manage our faith's thoughts and emotions isn't just a spiritual matter—it's a matter of equilibrium and wellbeing. As Proverbs 14:30 says, "A sound heart is the life of the flesh." What is this verse supposed to actually mean?

The "flesh" in this context isn't the physical body; it's a metaphor for the essence of the body of belief. The Bible distinguishes between our physical form and this deeper "flesh," as seen in Job 19:26: "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." This verse unveils a mystery—how can the body decay, yet the flesh remains, capable of perceiving the living God?

To unravel this parable, consider what is truly preserved by "God"; as 1 Corinthians 5:5 states, "That the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord," and John 3:6 affirms, "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Traditional religious interpretations often miss the Bible's deeper philosophical narrative. What sees "God" is the spirit or character within the mind—an intangible essence far beyond the physical.

A sound heart nourishes this flesh, which is this spiritual body within us, as 1 Corinthians 15:44 suggests: "There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." The Bible's philosophy centers on the growth and the development of our devotional conscience—the mind of our faith. When we feed this body, its soundness extends to our human heart, impacting our entire being. But this soundness can't sustain itself; it requires deliberate care and discipline.

The Bible's philosophy is deeply concerned with our human condition. Ephesians 4:23 advises, "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind." This renewal is a directive for holistic devotional health. How can one commit themselves to this kind of care? The answer lies in Ephesians 4:22: "Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt."

The corruption isn't in you or me as individuals—it's within the devotional conversation, the internal dialogue that shapes our faith and, consequently, our lives. The Bible urges us to reform how we engage with this internal dialogue. Psalm 50:23 encapsulates this: "To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God."

Our belief’s wellbeing directly influences our personal or human state of being. When the body of your spiritual understanding is nurtured, the wisdom it gains will resonate within your heart, creating a ripple effect that enhances your entire being. By caring for your faith's condition, you're actually investing in your overall wellbeing.

Embracing Unexpected Paths

"And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philis'tines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: but God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt." Exodus 13:17,18

The story of Israel's exodus from Egypt is not just a historical event, but is a sure lesson in spiritual growth and guidance. The route chosen was not the shortest or the easiest, but it was the most beneficial for Israel's spiritual development. This mystical detour illustrates how heaven-appointed learning often comes through the most inconvenient paths, leading to the most desirable outcomes.

Israel could have chosen a path through the land of the Philistines, which was a shorter route to their destination. However, Israel was led to choose the wilderness path. Why? The answer lies in understanding the living God’s purpose for our devotional character. The journey through the wilderness was not about reaching the destination quickly, but was about preparing Israel to inhabit the Promised Land with the right mindset and heart.

When the Israelites left Egypt, they first passed through Sin and pitched in Rephidim (Exodus 17:1), and then moved on to Horeb. From Horeb, it was an eleven-day journey to Kadesh-barnea (Deuteronomy 1:2), where they were to observe the land of Canaan. However, their lack of faith led to a forty-year sojourn in the wilderness. This delay was not due to the distance, but rather due to their refusal to trust and follow their Deity’s guidance and instruction.

The Israelites witnessed that Deity’s power at the Red Sea, where it annihilated the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:31). Yet, this miraculous deliverance did not instill lasting faith. Instead, their fear was superficial and did not translate into trust. They soon complained about their hardships and longed for the comforts of Egypt (Exodus 16:3). This highlights a critical lesson: miracles alone cannot sustain faith; it requires a deeper, personal relationship with the living God’s mind and intention.

The intention was not just to free Israel from physical bondage but to deliver them from spiritual enslavement. The wilderness journey was a time of testing and refinement. Their God used this period to teach Israel to depend on him for their daily needs, symbolized by the manna from heaven (Deuteronomy 8:2-3). This dependence was meant to cultivate a deeper understanding and relationship with him, moving beyond fear to love and trust.

The longer route through the wilderness was mentally and spiritually taxing, designed to humble Israel and teach them to rely on their God’s provision and guidance. This route was more honorable and profitable than the short path through the land of the Philistines, which would have led to immediate conflict and possible return to Egypt out of fear.

The story of Israel's exodus is a timeless lesson for us today. The Bible’s paths may not always be the shortest or the easiest, but they are designed for our ultimate growth and benefit. Our trials and hardships are opportunities to deepen our faith and understanding of the living God’s will. By embracing the long route, we can experience devotional transformation and develop a resilient belief that is not dependent on immediate miracles but sustained by a personal and intelligent relationship with the Bible.

The Bible’s guidance may lead us through unexpected and challenging paths, but these detours are meant to prepare us for the promises it’s character has in store. As we navigate life's wilderness, let us remember that our faith journey is about more than reaching a destination; it's about growing closer to the Bible’s mind, learning to trust its wisdom, and becoming more like its reasonable character in the process. By embracing the long route, we can find peace and purpose, knowing that the living God is with us every step of the way.

The Unyielding Nature of Facts

Facts don't care about feelings. This simple yet profound statement reminds us of the unyielding nature of truth.

Facts remain steadfast, indifferent to our emotions or personal beliefs. It's astonishing how often facts stir emotions rather than calm them. One might assume that facts should bring clarity, reassurance, or even liberation. However, the reality is that the more a fact confronts us, the more it can disturb our emotions. This disturbance is often unsettling, especially when we consider that "the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

When we allow facts to take their rightful place in our mind, they have the potential to humble us. A mind that rejects a clear fact often reveals a heart stubbornly clinging to an unverified belief. This obstinacy is the hallmark of an "evil" or "wicked" mind, as reflected in the scripture: "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Samuel 15:23).

To examine our own tendencies toward personal fault or error, we must consider how we handle facts. There is a stark difference between religious fiction and devotional fact. Our ability—or inability—to distinguish between these can reveal much about our state of being. The downfall of a religious confidence lies in its dependence on emotion to give it strength, as Paul writes, "They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2). We must choose between a knowledgeable devotional experience and an emotional religious fever.

Often, discussions about faith and belief lead to heated arguments, harsh words, and hurt feelings. This usually happens because people speak from a place of public opinion rather than with personal wisdom from rigorous research. Emotions, rather than facts, often drive our desire to learn, leading to a shallow understanding shaped more by personality than by reality. As a result, we form a strong emotional attachment to our beliefs, which can be shattered when confronted with facts.

Facts exist independently of belief or disbelief. They are not designed to comfort; they simply are. Unlike us, facts do not concern themselves with the knowledge available in the world; they exist beyond and above the limitations of human understanding, including the theological assumptions of the religious world. The author of the book of John cautions us about this, noting that the teachings of the religious world are distinct from the character within the scriptures: "They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them" (1 John 4:5).

Understanding why emotional disturbance occurs when we encounter facts requires a recognition of this distinction. Facts, unbound by the theological frameworks of the religious world, can feel alien and challenging to our deeply held beliefs. This challenge can reveal the lack of true knowledge supporting our beliefs, underscoring the truth of Proverbs: "Fools die for lack of wisdom" (Proverbs 10:21), and "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). True belief is both knowledgeable and intelligent; without a living, refreshing knowledge of what we actually believe, we risk falling into the trap of mental and spiritual lethargy and deception.

The conventional approach often involves placing faith in religious authorities without independently verifying the knowledge they present. The Bible warns against this blind trust, highlighting the pitfalls of relying on the religious world's wisdom above acquired insight: "He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Today, the message—"I know him, and keep his saying" (John 8:55)—still challenges us to "be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).

We should embrace the fact that facts do not care about our identity, thoughts, or level of understanding. Their sole purpose is to humble us, pushing us to make sense of our limitations and encouraging us to delve deeper into the Bible for understanding. For too long, we have viewed the Bible through a distorted lens, trusting in theories that do not foster our mental and devotional growth. It's time to heed the call: "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read" (Isaiah 34:16).

By engaging with facts and seeking knowledge directly from the Bible, we can cultivate a faith that is not only emotionally resonant but also intellectually robust, rooted in reality rather than mere tradition.