Lack of integrity isn’t hard to find.

It’s a politician claiming to be an expert … when clearly they have no clue. 

It’s a leader who teaches the importance of mental health … but won’t go to counseling. 

It’s the lofty claims on the packaging of a food marketed as “healthy” … but makes you feel awful after eating it.

It’s a mom telling her child, “No, we’re not going to have dessert tonight,” knowing full well she’s got a bar of salted caramel dark chocolate secretly stashed in the freezer … oop! Surely I’m not the only one?! 

It’s a double standard; it’s hypocrisy; it’s gossip, double talk and trouble stirring; and the list could just go on and on because we know a lack of integrity when we see it, and any time we do it is so grating and so blatantly wrong.  

On the other hand, integrity is wholeness, completeness: The quality of being whole and undivided. 

The principle of integrity runs through the Scripture and in Mark 12:30-31 it syncs up with our modern concepts of health: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.”

We are integrated beings; not merely souls, but embodied beings. As such, our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health all affect one another - no one aspect can be separated from the others. 

Stewarding our health is not about toned muscles, going on a health kick, wearing a certain size or achieving “perfection.” Perfection isn’t attainable to us in this life; only Jesus lived a perfect life. Rather, we must consider that caring well for our own health enables us to care well for others and live out the love of God in our lives. He has planned good things for you to do, and by stewarding your time, energy and resources well, you will be more ready and able to answer when He calls.

Living in wholeness calls us to face how we’re operating and start to address some deeper things: What’s driving our patterns and routines? What’s working and what’s not? How are we actually harming our health through negative thoughts or harmful actions?

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). There are real, small and simple steps toward a life of more abundance, and I believe that is what God wants for each of us! 

My 6-day YouVersion Plan “Healthy Self: Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength,” gives more context to what Scripture says about each aspect of health and unpacks ways to live a more thriving life. I encourage you to get into the Word and invite God to grow each facet of your health!