The need for connectedness (2)

There is a direct link between your health and your relationships. When you’re disconnected and isolated from others, you’re two to five times more likely to die than people with close ties! Even people with bad habits like smoking, overeating, and physical inactivity—but who remain socially connected—live longer than people with great health habits but who are isolated. We see the physical, life-giving power of connection in the life of Winston Churchill. He had a wonderful marriage, was deeply connected to his family, his friends, his nation, and his work. But his health habits were terrible. His diet was awful, and he constantly smoked cigars. He drank too much, had weird sleep habits, and was completely sedentary—yet he lived to ninety years old. That reminds me of the newspaper reporter questioning an old man about his longevity: “I suppose it’s because you take systematic exercise.” The man quipped, “The only exercise I take is acting as a pallbearer to my friends who have indulged in strenuous exercise!” (Note: We’re not condoning bad habits!) God said, “It is not good…to be alone” (Genesis 2:18 NIV), because when you’re alone, you’re more likely to succumb to temptation and discouragement, become self-absorbed, and spend money in selfish ways. Not only do you suffer, the people God put in your life get cheated out of the love He intended you to share with them. You say, “But I’ve been hurt by people.” We all have. But just as the answer to a snakebite is snake venom, the answer to bad relationships is good relationships. And God has some in store for you—so talk to Him about it today.