Here’s the fifth of an eight-part devotional for men based upon my chapter on health in Coach Joe Gibbs best-selling book, Gameplan for Life. The devotional was featured by the Men of Integrity ministry of Christianity Today. I hope you enjoy the series. Here’s Part 5 of 8:
THE SERIES’ THEME: Healthy Through and Through. What does it mean to be a truly healthy man of God?
THE RELATIONAL WHEEL
KEY BIBLE VERSES: Be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. (Colossians 3:12-13) Dig Deeper: Colossians 3:14-15
We’re socially healthy if we’re succeeding in all our relationships—those with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, the members of our church, everybody. Does that mean living without any conflict? Absolutely not! We’re talking about human beings, after all. But we can help prevent and even treat injured relationships—that’s part of being highly healthy.
A pastor I know had a spiritual wheel that seemed intact, but he was a physical and emotional mess. As his doctor, I spent many months trying to help him balance his physical and emotional wheels. But no matter what I did for him medically, he always came to my office completely out of balance.
I finally realized that his real problem stemmed not from physical or emotional disease, but rather from a series of broken relationships—beginning with his own dad.
Only after he agreed to work on mending his relationships, with the help of a Christian psychologist and a support group, could the other parts of his life become balanced.
As his relational wheel came into balance, he began to experience a smoother ride, both physically and emotionally.
My Response: Are there changes I need to make so that my relationships are healthier, more God-honoring?
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THOUGHT TO APPLY: The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only emotionally but also physically and spiritually.—Greg Anderson (writer, wellness expert)
I have a free assessment tool that can help you evaluate your four wheels of health. You can take it now, or at the end of this devotional series. You can download it for free here.
You can also learn more about this principle in my book, 10 Essentials of Happy, Healthy People: Becoming and staying highly healthy. Autographed copies are available here.

Here’s the entire series:

• Part 1 – Introduction
• Part 2 – The Four Wheels of Health
• Part 3 – The Physical Wheel of Health
• Part 4 – The Emotional Wheel of Health
• Part 5 – The Relational Wheel of Health
• Part 6 – The Spiritual Wheel of Health
• Part 7 – Examine Your Wheels
• Part 8 – Concluding Bible Study

Adapted from Game Plan for Life (Tyndale, 2009) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.