Joint Heath: Family First

As leaders it is important that we help our people know that family is important to God, and without healthy families we will have unhealthy churches.

In Ephesians chapter 5 Paul begins his teaching on relationships with the relationship between husband and wives. These are very important joints. The marriage union needs to be strengthened and supported from within and without. Our relationship with our spouse needs to be given the proper attention so it can flourish and cause growth. Too many of God’s people settle for limps in their marriage. They learn to walk in pain, instead of going to the Great Physician and seeking His form of treatment. He has many tools at his disposal: forgiveness, grace, speaking the truth in love or as Ephesians 4: 31 declares: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Practicing this kind of joint health will spill over into every area of life. Many people do not know how to “get rid” of these things by themselves. They need help in learning how to put off the old man, to put on the new. As leaders, it is important not just to simply tell people to stop doing something, but to teach them how to do the right thing. It is important that leaders address these issues in every church. Do you have a place where marriages can find help in your church? Are their classes or resources available?
Paul then moves to our relationship with our children. Children learn from us. How we treat our immediate family will help or hinder them honor the rest of the body of Christ. As we incorporate forgiveness, grace and understanding toward our children they will learn to treat others in the same way. Sharing with them how others are important to us will help them learn to value friendships, rather than simply see them as expendable. Conversations in the car, around the table can either strengthen joint health or it can injure our children’s ability to connect with others. Modeling good connections is a gift we can give our children that will last their whole lifetime.

Joint Heath: The Body of Christ

Just as physical joints need to be used to be healthy so do spiritual joints. We need to take time to nurture or relationships, or they can stagnant and atrophy. My heart cry is that we will promote joint health as leaders.

People need connections to grow in their spiritual life; however, just like children don’t always understand the need for vitamins in their diet, many people do not understand this important element to spiritual growth. The goal of every leader is to teach, preach, model and provide opportunity for people to connect with one another.

In the front page article we mentioned that many people have had their joining points injured. This is a very real problem in today's society. The church is one place where healing should be able to take place. How do we as leaders facilitate this healing? First we need to make space for what is needed.

What is needed? a warm, consistent, open safe place, where God’s love, power and Spirit can promote healing. A place where God’s grace is freely given and there is an understanding that perfection isn’t expected, but growth is. This will also take time, patience and faith that the Holy Spirit will be accomplishing His goal in and around all the people involved. Leaders can promote this atmosphere by modeling, encouraging and providing time and opportunity for testimonies to be shared, needs to be prayed for as well as simply giving people a chance to voice their hurts. Of course, it is not always convenient for these things to take place at every setting—but there should be some times and places where it can occur.

Many joinings affect the whole body. For example, newborn Christians are joints who can supply excitement and enthusiasm. They also may cause us to exercise patience, grace and understanding as they learn the basics. This is helpful to the whole body. Preparation for such needs help the whole body function much more smoothly.

Every joint is a place of vulnerability. These need to be protected. Examining them from time to time is wise. Satan loves to assault our relationships. We need to be watchful that the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10) does not get our ear. How silly it would be if my elbow joint felt left out because my knee joint was helping me walk! However, jealousy can afflict some joinings in our lives, if we allow it.

By understanding that different relationships are needed at different seasons and in different ways, we can avoid falling into this trap.
Checking to see if honesty, grace and love are flowing to and from each connection is important. The joints used the most often receive the most strain. They are also the ones which need our most attention (like our spouses, children, co-workers, friends etc). From these associations we learn to utilize the stability, balance, mobility and flexibility of joints. Learning how to place the right amount of weight, stress or use will cause these joinings to be strong and healthy.

Just as physical joints need to be used to be healthy so do spiritual joints. We need to take time to nurture or relationships, or they can stagnant and atrophy. My heart cry is that we will promote joint health. et us pray for God to show us how to build time in our lives, and space in our churches for joint health maintenance!