Why Christians Need Health by D. H. KRESS, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 23, 1915

Why Christians Need Health

By D. H. KRESS, M. D.

D. H. KRESS, M. D.

“I WISH above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health.” In God’s sight there is nothing more essential to those who have given themselves to him than health. For this reason above every other, he wishes us to have this blessing. When we give ourselves to him it is for the purpose of serving him. To all to whom he says, “Come unto me,” he also says, “Go ye therefore, and make disciples.” In order to do the most effective work, it is necessary to have health; for it is what we are more than what we may say that influences men and women to turn from darkness to light. It is the spirit we manifest, rather than the words we utter, that God uses to make favorable impressions.

Jesus came to this world to reveal to its inhabitants the character of God. He was Immanuel, or “God with us.” As he went about doing good, healing all who had need of healing, blessing little children, comforting those who mourned, giving to them the oil of joy for the spirit of heaviness, he was merely expressing in his life God’s thoughts toward all his creatures. As he was, so are we to be in this world. We have been called from darkness into light for but one purpose—“to show forth the virtues of him.”

When he said to his disciples, “Go ye into all the world,” he also said, “Heal the sick.” They were sent forth, not to make converts by arguments which appeal only to the head, not as wolves in the midst of other wolves, but as lambs in the midst of wolves. While they were to be as wise as serpents, they were to be as harmless as doves. In other words, “the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all.” The gospel worker must be a gentle man or a gentle woman, in order to make converts to Christianity.

To be gentle and considerate or to manifest Christlikeness, it is helpful to be in health. It is difficult, to say the least, for a dyspeptic, for instance, to be always as pleasant and agreeable as he should be, or to make the most favorable impression on those with whom he may associate day by day. It is difficult to have harmony in the mind and war in the stomach at the same time. A sweet disposition and a sour stomach are seldom associated. Many an irritable, nervous, impatient, disagreeable person is so because of some physical condition. He is disagreeable, not because he does not pray enough, but because he is sick. Prayer is essential in the Christian life, but health must not be ignored. Many an irritable woman has great difficulty in revealing that tenderness and sweetness in her home which she knows she should. Possibly she does not need so much to pray more, as she needs medical counsel. Many a husband is coarse, harsh, and unreasonable. Perhaps he needs to pray more, but in addition to spiritual help he may need medical advice.

When ill with rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, or sick headache, we go to the doctor for advice and help; but strange to say, when we are nervous, irritable, impatient, we think all that is necessary is to pray more, when often the same irritant which causes the pain in the head, joint, or muscle, is responsible for the nervousness, irritability, and impatience.

What we eat and drink has much to do with what we are morally as well as physically. It is unreasonable for a woman to pray, “Lord, help me to be more patient with my children,” so long as she depends upon her cup of tea. Tea drinking, possibly more than anything else, is responsible for nervousness among women. It is equally inconsistent for a man to pray, “Lord give me true refinement and Christian courtesy,” while subsisting largely upon a meat diet, and depending upon his after-dinner cigar or pipe for comfort. Patience and tea drinking do not as a rule go together; they are incompatibles. The same may be said of beer drinking and riotous eating of flesh, and true Christian refinement and gentleness. Elevation of morals is difficult, if not impossible, without the correction of the physical habits.

The gospel of Christ exerts a refining influence. It does not leave men and women where it finds them. Conversion marks the beginning of the Christian’s career; it enables one to enter the school of Christ as a learner. While faith is an essential all through the life of the Christian, it is not the only virtue for which we must strive or pray. The apostle says, “Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience.” Knowledge, temperance, and patience come in their rightful order here; one is the outgrowth of the other,—knowledge of the human body, its needs, and how best to glorify God, and then temperance in all things. When these two steps are taken, the third one will not be found impossible or even difficult. But temperance must precede patience.

True temperance means self-control, or mastery of the body with its passions and desires. The Greek athletes practiced temperance that they might win a corruptible crown. The crown which is incorruptible cannot be obtained without temperance. In referring to these athletes, Paul says, “They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Of himself he says, “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” It is easier for one who is in health to be in possession of self-control than for one who is in an abnormal physical state.