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When we have strength we can make it through tough times. This strength enables us to live a healthy lifestyle and to manage the stress that is present. Are you looking for insight about how God can be a source of strength?

A CNN article reports that a group of singers in London have formed a group called Sing for Joy. It's a community choir for people with Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and others recovering from conditions including stroke or cancer. Many of their friends and caregivers are also members of the choir. What they have in common is an illness or that they care for someone with an illness. They believe that singing with others makes them feel better.

Researchers on Friday made public a large study with a finding that we should not find surprising: Losing your job may make you sick.

Are you struggling to change a behavior that you know is unhealthy? Maybe this will help.

It's a New Year and today's verse highlights just one reason why we should care for our bodies. Paul tells us in Romans 6:13 that the different parts or members of our bodies are to be used as instruments or tools of righteousness to God. "Use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God." It is by our feet (Romans 10:15) and through our mouths that we share God's truth with other people. It is with our hands that we serve other people in love.

Life and stress… they go hand in hand. We will experience lots and lots of stress in our life. There is no getting around it. I believe that the degree to which we effectively manage and cope with the stress in our lives will determine the degree to which we are healthy. If we turn to unhealthy behaviors to cope with the stress, our physical and emotional health will suffer.

Christians might have a health-related advantage over those who have not accepted Jesus into their hearts. When a person invites Jesus to be a part of their life, God's Holy Spirit, a part of the Holy Trinity, takes up residence inside that person. The Holy Spirit enables a person to live in a way that he could not live without the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us this in Romans 8:11 when he writes "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you." (The contemporary Message translation is more detailed in its explanation.)

To say that faith or spirituality or that practicing a religion will have an impact on your health is oversimplifying things. In fact, it’s missing the point altogether. The real point is getting to know God and His qualities and experiencing His love. Let me explain.

USA Today reported on the physical consequences related to the stress people are under, especially over this last week. An article on September 19th - today as I write this - titled “Money Woes, Other Stresses Bring Unwanted Physical Response” says “As the market melts down, hurricanes wreak havoc, war grinds on and feelings of helplessness set in, stress goes up.” ComPsych, an employee assistance and wellness provider, has seen a 10% to 15% spike in calls since the weekend according to their vice president of health and wellness.

What’s the most important relationship in your life? I would imagine that a person of strong faith would want God to be their most meaningful connection. For those of the Christian faith, Jesus wants to be our center of attention and our most significant relationship. I’m learning that the more I nurture my relationship with Jesus, the more my deepest needs for acceptance, to feel loved and to be cared about are met. In turn, I am empowered to better care for myself and all areas of my life are affected, including the lifestyle choices I make that affect my health.