Here’s the last of an eight-part devotional for men based upon my chapter on health in Coach Joe Gibbs best-selling book, Gameplan for Life, was featured by the Men of Integrity ministry of Christianity Today. I hope you enjoy the series. Here’s Part 8 of 8:

THE SERIES’ THEME: Healthy Through and Through. What does it mean to be a truly healthy man of God?

CONCLUDING BIBLE STUDY

“Your spiritual wheel must be seen as the most crucial one, because good physical, emotional, and relational health alone will not make you a highly healthy person,” says Dr. Walt Larimore in Part 6’s reading. “Spiritual well-being has to be a consistent priority.” This week’s passage offers insights into cultivating a spiritually healthy life, and it also demonstrates the correlation between our spiritual health and our physical and emotional well-being.

KEY STUDY PASSAGE: Psalm 32

What positive emotion is mentioned in verses 1 and 2? According to these two verses, what must be done to experience this emotion? (See also v. 5; Rom. 4:4-8; 1 John 1:9.)

According to verses 3 and 4, what negative impact can unconfessed sin have on physical and even emotional health? Give some examples you’ve seen of sin’s negative impact on physical and emotional health?

What advice does verse 6 give to the godly? When it comes to seeking God’s forgiveness, why is it not wise to drag our feet?

According to verses 7, 8, and 10, what are the benefits of seeking God?

According to verse 11, how should the obedient and pure of heart respond to God?

SPEND TIME IN PRAYER:

Confess any sins that may be hurting your spiritual health; remain silent for a few minutes, letting God “speak” to you about any changes you may need to make so that you can become more spiritually healthy.

Psalm 32

A psalm of David.

1. Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!
2. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3. When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.
4. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
5. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess  my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
6. Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
7. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
8. The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
9. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
10. Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
11. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

You can learn more about these principles 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

Copyright © 2010 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.