We live in a world that doesn’t think holistically. We become convinced that each part of us operates separately. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are complex beings…If we are unhealthy in one area, it will overflow into another.
Unless we come to terms with our emotional struggles and invest time (and energy) in learning how to deal with them.. they will grow into physical struggles. Our body will tell us that we are not doing well..that we need to stop and examine our livestyle and our levels of stress. We can run to the doctor and get a diagnosis and possibly medication, ignoring the underlying issues… if we ignore our emotions and stop growing.. we may stop moving forward spirtually..
Growth in one area.. leads to growth and freedom in other areas. God created us this way. He made us feelers, thinkers, and believers. He designed us so our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits would all need attention.. Unfortunately we get a very limited view of this because we separate ourselves into compartments.. we act as though we are only our feelings or only our bodies and we miss out on the healthy life that God intends for us. The same thing happens when we over- spiritualize.. everything is not a spiritual issue. We need discernment to realize all this and God is ready to give that to us if we ask.
He gave His Holy Spirit to us for such a time as this.. to help us navigate this complicated world and to give us answers that will enable us to live fully while we are here.
Jesus said this in John 16:
“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. “
Alicia's Roses 
I agree that He gave us the Holy Spirit to “help us navigate this complicated world”. Unlike a GPS; He will never make errors in his guidance… Good post! ~ Wendy
How true Wendy.. Even though we cannot see the road and we may feel lost, He has it under control!
A really good post. It’s certainly true that if someone is depressed that it can affect our health and in many ways. You can get bags uder your eyes, headaches, stomach aches and so on. I will go further and say that if someone is severely depressed and for a long time, it can even shorten their life, one way or the other. All our parts are linked in a way not really possible to explain.
You are right Tim.. one thing that many people fail to realize is that unresolved grief and loss can lead to depression. Our modern culture does not recognize the need to grieve our losses.. may of us stuff these feelings. They remain frozen and until we allow them to come to the surface and realize that they are valid and not something to be ashamed of.. a complicated topic, but one that I am passionate about.