Spiritual Health

Spiritual health is your connection to God and God’s creations. As a practicing Christian, the bulk of my conversations describing spirituality come from that perspective. The goal is not division, and I respect the right of others to practice their religion; however, I can only teach on the things I know, and I know my God is real all all-powerful. He created everything, so Spiritual health encompasses your connection to humans, animals, and nature.  The near-universal acknowledgement that there is an entity greater than us that can empower and assist us through this life from beyond has stood the test of time. A testament to the reality that there is something beyond man’s control. We live in a universe full of wonders that we cannot recreate, which means there was a non-human creator. Just imagine the power that the Creator possesses, and recognize that you can access that power by maintaining a healthy Spiritual life

Fruit of the Spirit

Spiritual health involves obtaining the Fruit of the Spirit as noted in Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV), which reads, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” These are the principles, ideologies, and practices that bring us into relation with God and one another. I have found that many people seeking mental health are truly seeking the fruit of the Spirit, however, these are only obtained and maintained through a Spiritual connection.

Religion vs Spirituality

Spirituality is expressed by many through their religious practices; however, the two are separate. Religion encompasses the shared rules, regulations, and practices a group has regarding its connection and relationship with God. I practice Christianity within the standards of the Assemblies of God and Christ. Various Christian sects may have varying practices. I do find that there are advantages to having a provider with a similar faith. There can be a greater understanding of the practices, standards, and beliefs that govern one’s decision-making.  Furthermore, it may help decrease the risk of conflicts between doctrine and therapeutic guidance. However, Spirituality is about the strength of that connection to God, irrespective of those practices.

Focus on the Ideal you

For those who struggle with the concept of a God or religion, I advise thinking in terms of how the ideal you would look, think, and act. How does your ideal self-image function in this world? What behaviors does that person exhibit?  Use these questions to help guide the practices that will lead you into your greatest spiritual connection. Psychology and spiritual programs avoid God by using terms such as the super ego, higher power, the universe, and your inner being.  However, I am a firm believer that power comes from God and invite others to do the same.

Let the Spirit take the lead

The Spirit has your best interests at heart and promotes behaviors that encourage longevity and healthy living. Generally called upon when one needs knowledge and power, prayers or acts connecting to the Spirit world are frequently depicted before going into battle across cultures and throughout time. Just look at vast number of pre-battle or combat scenes depicted in movies. Think of every day as a battle on multiple fronts. Consult the Spirit regarding decisions. If you’re struggling with an issue or behavior, ask God to strengthen your connection by removing those elements that weaken your bond with him. Through this practice, you can begin to intuitively make better decisions regarding your mental and physical health.

Beware of Spiritual traps

Spiritual Health is just as ripe for manipulation as any other healthcare field, if not more. The power of Spirituality is such that you must have clear convictions. False teachers, false doctrine, manipulation, hypocrisy, ineffective products, thieves in the temple, witchcraft, false Gods, idol worship have all existed since the beginning of time, because the power of Spirituality has been recognized since the beginning of time. It’s all in the Bible. So be careful when looking for direction, navigating the path. Look to Him, read the word, and be vigilant.

The Word is your best protection

Educate and protect yourself by reading your Bible. No other text has been misquoted, misused, misconstrued, and manipulated to justify atrocities ranging from genocide, slavery, and various forms of hatred. Think about this, the Ku Klux Klan also refers to themselves as the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Many hate groups profess to support Christian rights while going against the love and compassion that represent Christ. We are not a monolith, and many practicing a false Christianity can be very charismatic. Remember, the devil knows scripture. So, don’t allow yourself to be misled. Know the Word for yourself, stay armed, and ensure you have a group of proficient Word wielding brothers and sisters to help you along the way. There is safety in numbers.

Here are 7 ways to avoid the Spiritual traps.

1. Educate yourself, study your religious text. (Bible, Quran, Torah, etc. )
2. Familiarize yourself with the practices, principles, and beliefs of any group before affiliating
3. Beware of any human intermediary who wishes to stand between you and God.
4. Avoid organizations that serve to isolate you from friends and family
5. Be wary of indoctrination or those opposed to you wanting clarification
6. Learn from past events such as Jonestown and the Branch Davidian
7. Look out for red flags: abusive language, threatening behaviors, isolation, shaming, sexualized behaviors, submitting to a leader, or use of psychoactive substances to achieve a connection.