1 John 4:19 – We love because he first loved us.
Romans 5:8 – But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Spiritual Love
As a mother to three boys—one biological and two stepsons—I’ve felt the depth of a love that is instinctive, unbreakable, and fiercely protective. Whether they’re facing emotional or physical pain, my instincts surge. In that moment, I feel like I could take on anything for them. Like most parents, I would jump in front of a bullet and easily give my life to save theirs. This unstoppable, incomprehensible love reminds me of the story of Jesus. Jesus, who could have easily decided to escape suffering, instead chose to endure unimaginable pain, all for the sake of saving us. He died for all of us. The depth of that love is something I can’t even begin to grasp. But, knowing that this type of love exists shifts everything for me. It makes me want to understand the radical love that God gives to us.
Spiritual love, in its true form, is very radical. It pushes us to love even those who have wronged us. Pushing us to think beyond revenge. If someone slaps us, we are urged to turn our cheek. Let them slap the other side too (Matthew 5:38). To show grace to those who don’t yet believe. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” Matthew 5:43-45
Embracing this kind of spiritual love is a lifelong journey. One that we will never fully reach as humans. It’s not an easy path. But when I get closer, I find a deeper purpose and a stronger sense of connection. This kind of love lets us get a glimpse of people through God’s eyes. Looking beyond our human limitations. To recognize everyone’s potential to feel God’s transformative grace. It’s a radical love, our highest calling. While we may never fully reach it, striving for even a small part of it brings us peace, hope, and a rock-solid foundation. It’s a journey worth taking.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 9:27 – But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Physical Love
Throughout my teenage years, I struggled with significant bouts of depression. Fortunately, a turning point came in the 9th grade. I enrolled in a weightlifting class and learned how to lift from the high school football coach at the time. This class would forever transform my life. As I delved into the world of exercise, I observed remarkable changes in my physique. My strength and confidence increased significantly. I also found it easier to manage life’s challenges. At that time, I had no inkling that contracting our muscles releases what scientists now call “Hope molecules.” These molecules play a crucial role in helping us recover from stress and trauma. As well as enhancing our mood and overall health. All I knew was that working out made me feel better both physically and mentally.
In contemporary health research, there is mounting evidence showcasing the intricate connection between our minds and bodies. Each exerting profound influence on the other. Stress serves as a prime example of this interdependence. When we encounter stress, our bodies release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are beneficial in immediate “fight or flight” scenarios. However, chronic stress tells a different tale. Prolonged exposure to these stress hormones can weaken our immune system, escalate inflammation, and pave the way for illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and even autoimmune disorders. It becomes evident that physical health and mental wellness are inseparable. By learning to effectively manage stress, we take a significant step towards achieving happy healing and joyful wholeness.
Another critical factor in this equation is gut health. Often referred to as the “second brain,” the gut is lined with millions of neurons and hosts bacteria that influence everything from our mood to cognitive performance. Imbalances in gut bacteria have been linked to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and memory problems. A healthy gut microbiome bolsters immune function, regulates inflammation, and aids in stress management. The right foods, quiet prayer, meditation practices, and physical exercise can nurture this vital ecosystem. These practices fostering resilience both mentally and physically.
Essentially, caring for our physical health is an act of love—for ourselves and everyone around us. It is honestly an act of love to care for ourselves because we can be better for our family and friends. Especially, when they need us the most. By honoring our bodies, we cultivate a life filled with gratitude, mental resilience, close relationships and unbounded joy.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
Mental Love
A LIFE changing moment for me is when I began to heal trauma in my own life. Even as someone with education and experience in psychology and counseling, for myself, I felt there was something that wasn’t clicking. Something that I knew needed some extra attention for my own well-being, but I couldn’t find the exact “aw ha” moment that gave me the answers. Then, a dear friend of mine starting talking to me about trauma healing. Wow, what an “aw ha” moment. Everything about the descriptions, causes, the healing practices, every bit of it made complete sense to me. It was the missing piece I was looking for all along in my education and experience. A huge key for vibrant mental health is healing trauma and learning how to regulate emotions. For those who have experienced trauma or high stress, it creates a disconnection from ourselves and to others around us. This experience is much more common than once thought.
For American children, statistics show that 60% have been exposed to crime, violence and abuse either directly or indirectly. 50% of youth have been assaulted at least once. 39% of youth ages 12 to 17 reported witnessing violence. 34% of youth reported being emotionally bullied and 13% physically bullied (link). I believe we are in a mental health crisis. I believe learning how to heal from trauma is essential. Developing healing skills is vital. Effective coping skills, such as knowing how to regulate emotions, help create a healthy mental health environment. It is a journey that brings immeasurable benefits, touching our spiritual, physical, and mental health (SPM Health theory) lives.
Trauma, if unaddressed, often remains stored in the body, leading to symptoms like chronic anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or a tendency to repeat negative patterns. But when we heal, we open the door to a profound transformation. We learn to regulate our emotions. We learn how to have compassion for ourselves. We learn how to connect with others in healthier ways. We find purpose in a life free from the burdens of the past.
Unresolved trauma leaves our bodies in a state of constant alertness, often leading to physical ailments and mental health struggles. Physically, the benefits are significant. Chronic trauma (complex trauma) has been linked to high cortisol levels, inflammation, and an increased risk of heart disease and autoimmune disorders. Healing quiets this “fight-or-flight” response, allowing our immune system to function better and reducing the risk of chronic illnesses. Our bodies become less reactive, more balanced, and better able to handle stress.
Healing trauma renews our minds, allowing us to reclaim a positive self-image that may have been damaged by past experiences. We begin to see ourselves through a lens of compassion and resilience, appreciating our ability to grow and adapt. This renewal extends to our relationships, helping us break cycles of self-sabotage and forge meaningful connections with others. As we heal, we form new neural pathways that create a stronger, more adaptable brain. Practices like prayer, silence, getting into nature, social connection, and grounding (just to name a few) promote neuroplasticity, enhancing our capacity for emotional flexibility and resilience.
This journey of healing and transformation is a deeply personal, loving experience. It helps us to connect to God, ourselves and others. Many who have walked the path of trauma healing find themselves with a newfound empathy for others, especially those who share similar experiences. Healing brings us closer to the present moment, freeing us from the shadows of the past. It allows us to experience joy more fully, embrace spontaneity, and discover beauty in the everyday. Perhaps most importantly, it opens the door to a love that is not bound by fear or pain—a love that is grounded in faith, resilience, and a genuine appreciation for the life we’ve been given.
This understanding of love—spiritual, physical, and mental—is what shapes our lives and our health. It’s not just knowledge; it’s an invitation to live more deeply, to embrace our interconnectedness, and to nurture ourselves and others. Radical love is transformative. It changes how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. When we cultivate love in each of these areas, we become stronger, more compassionate, and more open to life’s blessings. It is a journey marked by grace, resilience, and the beauty of truly loving others as we were first loved.
Noticing 