The importance of a healthy attitude cannot be underestimated. The relationship between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many diseases are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, and distrust all tend to break down the life forces and invite decay and death.

Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, and love promote health and life. A contended mind and cheerful spirit is health to the body and strength to the soul.

The effect of mental influence should not be overlooked. Through willpower, placing themselves in right relation to life, patients can do much to cooperate with the physician's efforts towards recovery. Often those who are sick can resist disease simply by refusing to settle down in a state of inactivity. Rising above their aches and pains, patients should engage in useful activity suited to their strength. By exercise and the free use of air and sunlight, many have recovered their health and strength.

We are in a world of suffering. Difficulty, trial, and sorrow await us all along the way to the heavenly home. But there are many who make life's burdens doubly heavy by continually anticipating trouble. Thus, they bring wretchedness upon themselves and cast a shadow upon all around them. Instead, we should look beyond, to the unseen and eternal.

When the sunlight of God's love illuminates the darkened chambers of the soul, restless, weariness, and dissatisfaction will cease, and satisfying joys will give vigor to the mind and energy to the body.

We are not to let the future, with its hard problems, discourage us. Those who surrender their lives to God's guidance and to His service will never be placed in a position for which He has not made provision. Whatever our situation, if we are doers of God's work, we have a Guide to direct our way. Whatever our perplexity, we have a sure Counselor. Whatever our sorrow or loneliness, we have sympathizing Friend.

If, in our ignorance, we make missteps, the Saviour does not forsake us. We need never feel that we are alone. Angels are our companions. The Comforter that Christ promised to send in His name abides with us. In the way that leads to the City of God there are no dangers that we may not escape. There is not a sorrow, not a grievance, not a human weakness, for which God has not provided a remedy.

None need abandon themselves to discouragement and despair. God does not bid us to overcome in our own strength. He desires us to lay our perplexities and troubles at His feet and leave them there.

Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try to think. You know that Jesus loves you. He understands your weakness. You may do His will by simply resting in His arms.

When temptations assail you, when darkness surrounds your soul, look to the place where you last saw the light. Rest in Christ's love and under His protecting care. Entering into communion with the Saviour, we enter the region of peace.

Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than a spirit of gratitude and praise. Forgetting our own difficulties and troubles, let us praise God for an opportunity to live for the glory of His name. Let the fresh blessings of each new day awaken praise in our hearts for these tokens of His loving care. When you open your eyes in the morning, thank God that He has kept you through the night. Thank Him for His peace in your heart. Morning, noon, and night, let gratitude ascend to heaven as sweet perfume.

Often prayer is solicited for the afflicted, the sorrowful, the discouraged; and this is right. We should pray that God will shed light into the darkened mind and comfort the sorrowful heart. But while we offer prayer for these sorrowful ones, we should encourage them to try to help those more needy than themselves. The darkness will be dispelled from their own hearts as they try to help others.

If you are sick or sorrowful, impart sympathy rather than constantly requiring it. Let the burden of your own weakness, sorrow, and pain be cast upon the compassionate Saviour. Open your heart to His love, and let it flow out to others.

The consciousness of right doing is one of the best medicines for diseased bodies and minds. When the mind is free and happy from a sense of duty well done and the satisfaction of giving happiness to others, the cheering, uplifting influence brings new life to the whole being.

Updated January 2009. This article is adapted from Ellen G. White, Pathways to Health and Happiness (Wildwood, Georgia: Family Heritage Books, 1990).