On May 3 of 2023, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy published an article where he raised the alarm “about the devastating impact of the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the United States”. The whole article is worth reading, and is easy to find online. One of my highlights of the article had to do with the connection between relationships and healing. “Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight – one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled, and more productive lives,” he writes. “Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders. Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.” He proceeds to back up his claim by presenting the following statistics: “the physical health consequences of poor or insufficient connection include a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults. Additionally, lacking social connection increases risk of premature death by more than 60%.”
Simply put: relational health increases physical health.
It is no wonder that Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Think about it. The religious leaders told the sick their disease was God’s punishment. But what did Jesus do? He came close to them, related to them and healed their disease. So much so, that he even brought the dead back to life! Can you imagine their joy? The sick did not have to suffer in silence and alone. God was not the author of their suffering, but of their healing. He was not far from them. He cared about them because he loved, and because he loved them, he wanted to be in a relationship with them. And that relationship, between creatures and Creator, naturally brings healing. “By his wounds”, writes the prophet Isaiah foreshadowing Jesus, “we are healed”. This is why he did what he did. All his miracles, all the sick brought back to health, all his life was one massive love letter telling you and me: my love can and will, if you let it, bring you back to life.
Why would I say no to He who has proven to love me best?
