Seeking Health in the Midst of Life

Richard Hollerman

We realize that there are many exceptions from what we write and this is something that we must take into account. Especially as you read, keep this in mind. Some of our readers are sick, are injured, are diseased, and have incurable illnesses. This is something that we must always bear in mind as we approach this subject. If you do have physical disabilities and can do nothing about this, it is one thing.

Also, we know that some of you may be 16 or 20 while others of you may be 80 or 90 or older! Generally, as we know, the older we are, the more physical challenges we have. And, we have all probably read such places as Ecclesiastes 12:1-8. Let us not forget this and know that “our time is coming to an end” and we all will be “6 feet” underground in 100 or 120 years! This serves to keep us humble!

I have sometimes asked friends whether various teachers in my past are still around and whether they may be reached. Generally, there is silence. Probably many or all of them are now gone. And they cannot be reached. It is too late. Surely most (or all) of them were unprepared to meet God—and now it is too late to reach them.

If you are yet in your teens or twenties, keep this in mind and reach people while they may be found. In fact, your own parents may soon be gone, thus it is vital to reach out to them now. Express your love, your interest, and especially describe to them the good news of Christ. Yes, we know that most of them are not really interested or are “set in their ways” or will not hear or read you, but years from now you may wish that you had attempted to reach them now!

But we must do this humbly and with a due regard for our own mortality. Although you may be healthy, strong, and well now, there may come a time when you are not. Just this morning, I was doing my exercise and also listening to an online presentation of why women tend to outlive their male counterparts. We all knew this, I suppose, and there is more than one reason. There were two items mentioned in this recording: One was the fact that men (at least some of them) were more prone to use tobacco.

We probably all knew that the use of tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, etc.) will generally shorten one’s lifespan. Then the speaker discussed the “Y” chromosome. As we all know, the woman has two chromosomes (double X) while the male has two also, but they are a Y and X. For various reasons, if one does have the two “Y” chromosomes, he is more likely to die younger. Thus, we must do what we can to maintain these chromosomes and do every other prudent measure to preserve life. Tobacco use will destroy the Y chromosome and do other mysterious and dreadful things.

Now, to depart from this issue, we know that we can do what we can to maintain good health. But sometimes it seems to come automatically.

For instance, my brother, who says that he has done nothing to maintain his health and refuses to learn anything about this, explained his past to me. He worked for some 36 years, without missing a single day because of sickness! Then he worked for another 14 years without missing a single day. (50 years total). My sister-in-law worked for some 20 years, with only about 10 days sick. (She is not of the same genetic makeup.) My nephew missed no days from school from 7th to 12th grade. Another nephew missed no days with the same years at school (7th to 12th grades). My niece went from grades 7 to 12 with only 2 days sick (and she was diabetic). I forget, but Dad worked for 30 some years (or maybe 35 years) without missing a single day. As you can see, even these without a great interest in health, seemed to be very healthy (at least so far as time off because of sickness). My sister and mother, on the other hand, seemed to have many health issues (or sickness issues). Perhaps this will show us that while we can pursue health, it is not guaranteed in any way.

We know that God has “programmed” into our bodies a certain number of days. We may live for 35 years, or maybe 50 years, or 90 years, or the Biblical 70 or 80 years (according to Moses, Psalm 90:10), but still our days are numbered. Few people live to be 100 and fewer yet make it to 110 and even then have many disabilities. Although we know that time continues on, and 1,000 years are before us (if Christ tarries), still we will all die earlier. And then comes eternity. Are we ready now?

When it comes to health, sickness, disease, and eventually death, we must seek God and His will and always do what is reasonable and prudent regarding our health. We hope that you will seek (through using the Search engine) to learn more about health and sickness on our website: www.Truediscipleship.com.