Nutritional deficiencies often have negative symptoms.

Not enough vitamin D and you might suffer weakness or aching in your bones. Insufficient vitamin E can lead to dry hair, leg cramps and slow healing. A lack of magnesium can result in irritability, anxiety and even impaired memory.

So, if you’re grumpy or can’t remember stuff, eat some spinach.

Is the same thing true spiritually? How much anxiety, fear, depression, anger, jealousy, envy, lust, arrogance, selfishness, insecurity, apathy, resentment or rebellion is the result of some spiritual element missing in our lives?

As problems develop in undernourished bodies, so our souls are surely in danger if they are not nourished as well. Jesus said:

“Truly, truly I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven…….. I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” John 6:32 & 35

I do not mean to say that every pain we suffer can quickly be remedied by learning and doing the teachings of Jesus. I certainly mean to say, however, that I have seen Jesus’ teachings do incalculable good for those who keep them.

This is nothing new. When Jeremiah asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?”, he was trying to get Judah to see that a return to God was the cure for their ills.

Solomon wrote: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.”, Proverbs 3:5-8

Trusting God = Healing to your body! & Refreshment to your bones! Maybe this is a part of the reason why Jesus is called “The Great Physician”. Perhaps faith saves us more than we realize.