By His Stripes: Healing and Wholeness for the Body, Mind and Soul

cross Jesus Forgiveness Healing

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

On my way to work earlier this week, I noticed a long, rusty nail on the sidewalk. The first thing that came to mind was how painful it must have been for Jesus physically and emotionally to be nailed to the cross. I cannot even imagine the enormous pain He endured. The sacrifice that He paid for our sins was so great and overwhelming. His love is everlasting and unconditional.

I cannot imagine the people who simply do not believe in Jesus. People who choose to live on their own terms and take credit for their own success in life without giving honor and praise to God. People who acknowledge the universe but deny the creator of the universe.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:17

The world is a scary place, and it is ten times worse for those who do not take refuge in Him. It has always been unstable and full of uncertainty but in a shaken world God’s Word is unmovable and unchangeable.

Through His selfless act on the cross, healing is one of His greatest gifts to us through His love. When we call on Jesus, we call on Jehovah-Rapha our healer. In Hebrew, raphe means to heal, to mend, to cure and to make whole. Wholeness requires health in your body, mind, and soul.

self care health and wellness healing

In our culture, much of our time is dedicated to work. In the past couple of years, there’s been a shift to work, life balance and self-care but without Jesus you cannot sustain your peace, energy, or strength. We live in a physical world and our health is the top priority. Jesus came to save us from our sins, but He also came to heal us from sickness and disease and make us whole.

Exercise Health Wellness

The Body: Embracing Physical Energy

Our temple (body) which houses our soul and spirit, our emotions and mental capacity is the vessel that we have a responsibility to care of. From our diet, to getting enough sleep to exercise and everything in-between, we must and should take care of our body with the utmost care. Our body carries us through every stage of life.

Daily exercise plays a crucial role in how we feel. Physical activity not only maintains our weight and flexibility, but it also releases endorphins which releases positive feelings. Finding exercise that you enjoy will help you become consistent because it’s something that you look forward to doing. Some to try would be swimming, sporting activities, dancing, or walking.

Through all the recent challenges with Covid and other diseases that are impacting the population, there is so much focus on health and wellness. Subliminally, we are absorbing toxic news and information daily that’s affecting our mental and emotional health. Depression and anxiety are at its utmost high.

woman eating popcorn watching TV

Advertising agencies are consumed with promoting pharmaceutical advertisements that fill us with fear about sickness and disease like diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. The quick fix is popping medications into our system without considering the adverse effects. In some cases, eating a balanced diet, getting more rest, releasing stress by connecting to nature, and participating in physical activities will decrease health issues.

Although there are medical procedures and medications that aid and cure the body, the Word of God speaks life and abundance to our body, mind, and spirit. There’s healing power in the Word of God. We need to grasp the healing power of Jesus.

The Mind: Fostering Inner Peace

Our mind is immensely powerful, and it can shift our moods, thoughts, and perspectives. Our diets fuel our body and bring clarity to our thoughts. Certain foods can decrease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Other foods can lower cholesterol or inflammation, maintain sugar levels or stabilize blood pressure.

Health diet food

You must guard your heart and mind from negative thoughts that affect our mood. Stress over a prolonged period can cause sickness and disease. We also must let go of any negative emotions that keep us bound. It is a process of letting go. Everything takes time so give yourself time to forgive and move on.

Jesus will meet you at every need. In what area do you need healing? Stand on His Word for your healing and deliverance. Use your authority to unlock the power of God.

soul and spirit

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2

The Soul: Soaking in the Spirit

Lastly, our soul carries our emotions and personality traits. We must be emotionally healthy as well as physically and spiritually healthy to embrace complete wholeness. It is rooted in the heart. When there is an equilibrium or balance of the body, mind, and soul, your wholeness is in sync which means you are at your highest peak. It’s rare to maintain this balance for a long period of time because life dips and flows. It’s normal to experience highs and lows and we must learn to embrace challenges and obstacles. The natural process of life involves exploring, discovering, learning and growing.

When you do achieve a balance of aligning your physical, mental, and spiritual essence, you will feel a sense of peace within the natural realm. When you can get to a point where external factors do not shift your emotions or mental state and embrace your spiritual awareness within the natural realm, you can release stress, fear, anxiety, anger, or any other negative feeling. Prayer, worship and reading the Word on a consistent basis empowers strength, faith, direction, and wisdom.

musiic voice soul

Actively participating in social activities, engaging in creative expression such as art, writing or music, connecting with nature and giving back to community provides a sense of purpose, however our ultimate purpose in life is to honor and praise God. God designed each one of us for His purpose.

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corth 6:18-20

Self-expression is also vital to your health. It is not about numbing or bottling up your emotions but becoming authentically oriented to share your true feelings and emotions in a healthy way with others. It’s also having the freedom to be who you are and not suppressing your personality, thoughts or opinions in fear of being rejected by others. It is knowing and understanding right from wrong and having a conscious and a sound mind. All of these components lead to a life of balance and wholeness.


Salvation, Healing and Deliverance Prayer

Lord, thank you for your great sacrifice on the Cross. I repent for my sins. Thank you for washing away all sin from my life. I believe you are the Son of God and that you died and rose again on the third day. I thank you for the gift of eternal life, abundance and healing of my mind, body and spirit. Transform my heart and mind so I will seek you all the days of my life.

I ask that you touch every organ, blood cell, tissue and muscle in my body and cleanse me from all sickness and disease. I pray for your healing power to deliver me from any pain in my body and make it whole again. I bind and rebuke everything that is not according to Your will that is causing me worry and stress. I am healed from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. May I rest in your presence as your healing power flows like a river. I seal this prayer by your precious Blood. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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Additional Scriptures

It is righteous and holy to focus our minds on good not evil. It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones. Prov 3:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” Matt 15:19

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Phil 4:8-9

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how to [b]abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through [c]Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:11-13

Healing Scriptures for the Body

Jer 17:14

James 5:14-15

Psalm 6:2

Psalm 103:2-5

Rev 21:4

Exodus 23:25

1 Peter 2:24

Isaiah 53:5

3 john 1:2

Jer 17:4

Matt 10:1

Matt 9:35

Jer 33:6

Psalm 41:3

Prov 17:22

2 Chron 7:14

Psalm 41:1-3

Prov 4:20-22

Psalm 146:8

Isaiah 40:29

Isaiah 40:29

Isaiah 38:16-17

Luke 6:19

Mark 5:34

Psalm 103:2-3

Healing for the Mind

Num 6:24-26

Psalm 23:4

Phil 4:6-7

Psalm 29:11

John 16:33

Psalm 1:2

Joshua 1:8

Isaiah 53:4-5

Isaiah 41:10

Psalm 46:1-2

Psalm 55:22

Psalm 71:20

1 Peter 5:7

Healing for the Soul/Heart

Psalm 147:3

Prov 17:22

John 14:27

Psalm 147:3

Psalm 34:18

James 5:13

Psalm 73:26

Isaiah 57:15

Psalm 51:10

2 Corth 4:8-10

Three Beneficial Things to Do When Facing Difficult Times

girl praying

1.    Elevate Your Thoughts

God wants us to align our thinking with His thoughts. The natural mind does not understand spiritual things. It is a constant battle to think on a higher plane because our world is so negative and evil. It’s so much easier to think negatively which immediately drains our energy. That’s why we should always be aware of our thoughts, actions, and environments.

words of anger

As soon as our thoughts begin to focus on fear, disbelief, doubt, or any other toxic emotion, we need to consciously change our thought patterns. It is very challenging to switch your thoughts when so many problems are staring you in the face. The advantage is knowing the Gospel and being able to draw from God’s promises and meditate on His word which is life and substance to your soul. Once we elevate our minds, we raise our energy level and begin to feel much better. It is a spiritual war that manifests in a physical realm. Often times, we use physical components to fight our spiritual or mental battles such as sleeping pills, medication, drugs, alcohol, or sex. We may even contemplate suicide as a means of escape.

2.    Take Care of Your Body

black girl jogging

We must take care of our bodies including eating healthier and exercising daily. Many people overlook the importance of a well-balanced diet.  However, diet plays a vital role in how we deal with stress and challenges in our lives. When we eat healthily, we have a clear mind. Our bodies are able to fight off disease and illness and even stress better. You can also take vitamins to supplement your diet such as B- complex vitamins which alleviate stress.  It’s best to consult your doctor for specific vitamin supplements based on your physical needs.

Another important factor is to get enough rest. When all else fails, go to sleep! Just make sure you have a balance. When we sleep, our stress levels go down. We are able to fight off illness, deal with problems, and make better decisions. We are less irritable and able to manage frustrations with ease. We are also able to control our emotions and we are much more productive in our daily lives.

“He who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:10–11

Unfortunately, Satan understands our weaknesses and attacks us when we are most vulnerable which often means we are lacking rest. When we are tired or weary, it disrupts our peace of mind. When we have inner peace, we are able to interact with others much better as well as have the ability for the Lord to direct us in our daily decisions. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” I Corth 4:33

girl laying down

God is actively at work at all times even while we are resting. The Lord never slumbers. “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved. He that keeps thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121

3.    Seek Solitude in Prayer, Worship and Reading the Bible

glasses on book

Most of all, this is the most obvious but required. We should have a set schedule to spend time with God. We should continue to seek God in prayer. We must not give up hope.    We should pray without ceasing knowing that God will answer our prayers in perfect timing.

We must also continue to worship Him regardless of our situation.  It’s in the hardest struggles that our praise is strengthened. No matter what the situation looks like we must continue to be faithful in worship. There is always something to appreciate and be grateful for.

We should read the Bible on a regular schedule to keep our spirits strong and to encourage ourselves daily. Faith is by hearing and hearing is by the Word of God. We should surround ourselves with a body of believers who will encourage and support us. This will raise our spirits, as well as our thoughts and actions.

When we take care of our mind, body, and soul, it strengthens our spiritual well-being to hear from God. By developing and building trust in Him, it draws us closer to Him. When we begin to see how He delivers us out of our situations and circumstances, our trust and faith will be strengthened to overcome any obstacle that we face.

“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope; And hope maketh not ashamed: because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3-5