Be Ye Transformed FEATURE

START 2025 TRANSFORMED Healthier in Mind, Body and Spirit

As the new year begins, it’s customary to make resolutions. Improving health is often high on the list of goals, with promises to eat better, exercise more and drink more water. Efforts to achieve these goals might include signing up for gym memberships, ordering healthy cookbooks or purchasing exercise equipment.

Everything seems in order—until three or four weeks later, when the excitement fades, ambition dwindles and the cookbooks start collecting dust. The drive for a healthier life can often disappear.

What if this year is different? What if we not only make resolutions but also keep them? Could it be that our thinking and approach have been wrong from the start?

This year, let’s focus on being transformed—physically, mentally and spiritually. Let’s recognize that true health intertwines with our relationship with Christ. To be transformed, we must adopt an approach to health that aligns with God’s design rather than conforming to the world’s patterns.

As Romans 12:1–2 says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

To truly transform, we must worship God with our whole being.

Physical Transformation

What does God want for us in terms of physical health? The quest to be healthier can be challenging. Your body might crave sugary treats or indulgent meals instead of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. However, recognizing that transformation starts with spiritual health can help guide our choices.

First Corinthians 6:19–20 reminds us that we were bought at a price and must honor God with our bodies. When we recognize our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, we are called to care for them. This means eating nutritious foods, avoiding harmful substances and engaging in regular exercise. As 1 Timothy 4:8 says, “For physical training is of some value.”

Our bodies are a gift from God. We are called to be stewards of this gift, remembering the warning in 1 Corinthians 3:17: “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple,” (ESV).

Mental Transformation

To be transformed, we must also renew our minds. Mental health is just as vital as physical health. Just as the body can become ill, so too can the mind. Scripture encourages us to renew our minds and seek spiritual grounding to better understand God’s plan for our lives.

As Christians, we can safeguard our mental health in several ways: practicing gratitude, viewing situations positively, staying connected with encouraging people and serving others. That's right! Acts of service not only fulfill our mission but also bring a sense of contentment that benefits mental well-being.

Spiritual Transformation

Ultimate transformation requires a deep connection with God. This involves cultivating a personal, intentional relationship with Him. Spend time in prayer—not just asking for blessings, but listening, reflecting and meditating on His Word.

In your church community, nurture spiritual friendships that provide encouragement and strength. Engage in acts of obedience that reflect the fruits of the Spirit, and model Christlike behavior.

With these practices, we can live healthy, whole lives and remain transformed in 2025. Let’s embrace this journey. Let’s stay transformed!

By Virgo Bélizaire and Dr. Marjorie Bélizaire. Virgo Bélizaire is pastor of the Baton Rouge Seventh-day Adventist Church and Marjorie Bélizaire is Health Ministries & Health Evangelism Director for the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference.