There’s kind of a “thing” going on right about now in our society where people are extolling the health benefits of being “grounded.”
It’s rooted (yes, that is an entirely intentional pun) in electrical theory in that we know there is a myriad of electrical activity going on in our bodies. The idea is, that by being electrically connected to the earth, we would enjoy various and sundry health benefits. The National Institutes of Health (an actual government agency) says, “Grounding appears to improve sleep, normalize the day–night cortisol rhythm, reduce pain, reduce stress, shift the autonomic nervous system from sympathetic toward parasympathetic activation, increase heart rate variability, speed wound healing, and reduce blood viscosity.”
People accomplish this grounding by placing their bare feet on the ground (wet grass is preferred), employing bedding with silver or other electrically-conductive threads woven into it which is then electrically connected to the ground system of your house wiring, submerging oneself in water, and a number of various other ways.
I was pondering all of this on a recent vacation to the glorious and beautiful lakes and woods of Itasca County. At one point, I caught myself thinking about it while sitting in my aluminum boat on the lake with my elbow resting on the gunwale. Of course, this meant I was quite naturally grounded not just to the boat, but to the lake itself and all of the glorious beauty surrounding me.
So, did I come up with some kind of astounding epiphany in regard to all of this as a result of my electrical connection to the marvelous creation all around me?
Well, while I am not an Electrical Engineer (although my initial plan when entering college was to secure a high-paying job in Robotics) and, although I did minor in Biology with a concentration in Aquatic Ecosystems, my extensive educational background and the common sense my parents taught me does not lead me to be overly surprised nor astounded that bare feet in the grass, swimming, bathing, and fishing are good for a person.
This does not mean that I nor Kinship Radio is endorsing or advocating the health benefits of grounding. If you want to go out and spend $200 on a set of sheets that plug into your wall, that’s your call entirely.
What it does mean, (and was astoundingly, gloriously obvious to me in that wonderfully beautiful place) is that God loves us and that He is our solid rock on which we are grounded. (See Matthew 7:24.) We enjoy benefits and blessings all around us in quantities and magnitudes beyond our ability to think or comprehend. He cares for us, protects us, leads us, makes ways and paths and situations for us, and lavishly pours out love for us in ways we cannot even begin to fully comprehend or imagine. Our souls are anchored and held fast by a sure hope that is firm, secure, strong, and trustworthy. (See Hebrews 6:19.) We are not only part of His creation, but part of His plan to bless each other that He put in place from the beginning of time. (See Ephesians 2:10.)
Yes, I fail at blessing others as I should on a regular basis. But being grounded in the truth of His love for us as clearly demonstrated for us in Jesus Christ draws me back to that solid anchor, the foundation of what it means to truly love God and love one another.
So yes, being grounded is good. And the best ground is Jesus Christ.
Today’s Praise
Psalm 26:12
“Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the LORD.” (NLT)
Sunset on North Star Lake, Itasca County, Minnesota. Photo by Jessica Jones
Grounded in Jesus! Hallelujah!