Thanking God For Health

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3 John 1:2

Following World War II, Field Marshall Montgomery was sitting in a session of the English House of Lords when he turned to the man next to him and said, “Excuse me, but I’m having a coronary thrombosis.” He then quietly left the chamber to seek medical help.

Granted, heart attacks and other illnesses aren’t always preceded by such clear warning signs. But if the signs were there, would we recognize them? To paraphrase old Timex watch commercials, it’s amazing how much of a licking our bodies can take and still keep on ticking. Stress, too little sleep and exercise, too many empty calories—we take our good health for granted. The body’s ability to stay healthy is truly a gift from God.

None of us enjoys now the perfect health we look forward to in heaven. But until then, we can express our gratitude to God for the health we have by being good stewards of these miraculous “earth suits” in which we work, serve, and play each day. Giving thanks for health (whether good or bad) is evidence that we understand this truth: our bodies are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19).