Two sentiments frequently surface in conversations I hear. One is that someone’s great aunt or elderly neighbor was said to be “healthy” until they suddenly had a heart attack. The other sentiment goes like this: “I must be healthy because I’m not dead yet.”

Contrary to typical comments that arise, people are not “healthy” up until the moment that disease is diagnosed or manifested. In such cases, diseases have been developing for a long time, likely years. Hand-in-hand with that fact, people who think they are healthy because they are “not dead yet” may end up dying prematurely. They thought they were “healthy” up until the moment of death. Surrounding people will then utter the unfortunate phrase of, “Oh, no! He had a heart attack….but he was so healthy.”

In further response to the first idea, the person who succumbed to a heart attack was not healthy when he had a heart attack. There were most certainly influences in his diet and lifestyle which led to the conditions necessary for a heart attack. Symptoms are not always externally apparent, and for that reason they often go unchecked. However, a propensity for cardiovascular disease would have been developing for quite a while before a heart attack occurred. Heart attacks are a result of health problems, not a result of perfect health.

To respond to the second idea, I submit the following question: Is “not dead” a responsible definition of “health”? I’m afraid it isn’t. Health is the state where the organs of the body are functioning properly and to their full potential—and health is what strengthens life. If the body’s organs are not functioning in their proper capacity, illness—and possibly a premature death—are being invited. A responsible attitude is not to make light of death but to make much of health. Is it our goal to ride along on the verge of death (as indicated by the assurance that someone is “not dead”) or to live in thriving health and strength?

The sentiments presented in the top paragraph always grieve me to hear, because they are reminiscent of ignorance and apathy. Many people have a very low view of what health is and what it can be. The same people often have a low view of promoting health and preventing disease. They prefer to coast along without thinking…without changing…until one day they either die or begin to suffer from their mistakes.

What are your thoughts? I’d love to dialogue with you in the comments below!

(Renee DeGroot is a native Montanan whose book Health for Godly Generations explores the many ways to build and improve a healthy lifestyle. You can visit her website Health for Godly Generations for more information.)