We live in an environment that encourages us to push ourselves to the limit to earn others’ approval. This may succeed for a while, but eventually we end up frustrated and burned out. Pushing ourselves too hard can literally make us sick, which is the opposite of what God wants for us—to stay healthy and strong. God always wants the best for us; we can be thankful that good health has been offered as a free gift because of His favor toward us.

The pressure to perform for others can take its toll on our physical bodies. When it seems as if we can never do enough to please people and the stress levels begin building up, we can feel trapped. This is the time when we need Jesus to remind us of what He wants to give us. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG).

Whether we’re stuck in endless religious activities or simply unable to say “no” to others’ constant demands on our time, a “constantly in go-mode” mindset is bad for our health. We fight back by fixing our minds on the good health the finished works of Jesus made available to us. There’s a strong connection between our thoughts and our physical bodies; protecting our health requires taking control over thoughts that contradict God’s Word. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Our imaginations can work against us; it’s important to exert our authority over them.

Working hard for others’ approval puts us in bondage to them. That’s never a good place to be. The apostle Paul, once a great people-pleaser, did a complete about-face when he encountered God’s grace. “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant” (Galatians 1:10, NLT). What Paul previously thought was good had put him in bondage to other people; Jesus Christ freed him from that.

We weren’t created to be at the mercy of others’ opinions. Being in this kind of situation is frustrating and makes us feel like puppets. As spirit beings living in physical bodies and possessing souls, this is simply bad for us on every level. We’re warned against the long-term effects this has on our overall health. “A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22, AMPC).

Chronic stress negatively impacts our immune systems and can eventually manifest an illness. However, we don’t have to put up with something we’ve been given authority over. “And Jesus summoned to Him His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity” (Matthew 10:1, AMPC). As believers, we’ve received the same power that the disciples were given. Faith in this arms us against any and all disease, and supernaturally keeps us in perfect health.