Being mindful of God as we fuel our bodies
Are you wondering about this blog title and why anyone would think about God as they eat? Other than to offer Him thanks for the food you are about to eat and ask Him to bless your meal.
Well, I will start with a reminder that our bodies are not our own. They are the Lord’s Temple. Let's take a look at The Bible.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 TPT
“Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you? You don’t belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, lives inside your sanctuary. You were God’s expensive purchase, paid for with tears of blood, so by all means, then, use your body to bring glory to God!”
In this scripture, Paul lets us know that The Holy Spirit lives in our body. Remember that Jesus promised that He would not leave us alone after his ascension into Heaven.
John 16:7 ESV
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
Jesus loves us so much that He ensured that we were left with a helper, the Holy Spirit. As if that was not enough, he revs up His love for us, even more by ensuring that our helper is not just nearby, but in us. We have access to Him 24/7. What awesome, heartwarming love, He has for us. It gives me so much joy, knowing that God loves me so much He chose my body as His Temple. Do you feel the same?
Please stay with me. How many of you would not wonder if you went into an unkempt church building? I suspect that you would be appalled. I certainly would. How much more then should we endeavour to look after our body, His Temple.
Are you wondering how to acknowledge your body as His Temple and look after it right? A great starting place will be to live healthy. Successfully living this way will involve healthy eating and moderate exercise. I must interject here that eating well does not have to be a miserable experience. That was certainly my experience with various diets out there. I was miserable and cranky.
My philosophy with food for the last 30 years is moderation not deprivation. I adopt the same approach with exercise, and it has served me well. I lost weight, dropped 6-8 dress sizes and maintained my weight loss.
Simply put, you can achieve weight loss and/or maintenance by eating mainly from the foods God has graciously blessed us with. These foods are nutrient dense. They are typically real (minimally processed) healthy, wholesome, and filling. They are high in nutrients and relatively low in calories.
Exercise is also important. It keeps us energised, enthusiastic about life and releases the so called ‘happy' hormones, endorphins.
I had been looking after by body for year’s before I started to see my body as The Lord’s Temple. That revelation made a more impactful difference in the way I looked at foods and fueled my body. It made me a better, conscientious steward of His Temple. I imagine it will for you too, if you see Jesus as your Lord and saviour.
You do know that His love for us is immeasurable right? Scripture tells us so
Ephesians 3:19 KJV
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 3:19 TPT
How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!
Yes God’s love for us, is beyond our imagination. He will help us improve our eating habits, if we ask Him. After all it's His Temple we are feeding.
Scripture also tells us that if we ask according to His will, He will answer.
1 John 5:14 AMPC
“And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.”
Another equally important reason to fuel our body right is for purpose. Are you wondering what I am talking about? We all have a unique purpose. We will need our bodies well to fulfil our assignment. I must tell or remind you that a sustained unhealthy lifestyle will eventually cause our bodies harm and in extreme cases premature death.
For whatever you do in life, including fulfilling your purpose you need to be healthy. This will give you the required energy and enthusiasm to accomplish all God expects of you and all your various tasks. Are you wondering what your purpose is? Ask Him, as it is not for you to decide. He has it worked out for everyone and is lovingly waiting for us to take steps to fulfil it.
Have you been living unhealthy for sustained period? Have you looked after your homes, for ladies perhaps your handbags and nails and for gentlemen perhaps your cars and motorbikes, better than you have your bodies? Not to worry His love is available for you to help you surmount all hurdles, including that of yo-yo dieting. Are you thinking God has more important things to get involved in. Don't forget that God knows the number of hair strands on our head. It is therefore reasonable to assume that He cares enough to help us with everything that concerns us. And He does.
Luke 12:7 KJV
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7 TPT
What is the value of your soul to God? Could your worth be defined by any amount of money? God doesn’t abandon or forget even the small sparrow he has made. How then could he forget or abandon you? What about the seemingly minor issues of your life? Do they matter to God? Of course they do! So you never need to worry, for you are more valuable to God than anything else in this world.
God has an interest in helping us develop a healthy relationship with food? Yes is does. God is VERY mindful of the fact that when we feed our bodies we are simultaneously fuelling His Temple.
Are you struggling to lose weight now and/or in the past? Have you tried
involving Him in the process. Now that I have reminded you about his keen interest with all that concerns you, I encourage you to depend on Him, ask Him to help you fuel your body, His Temple. Remember you can do all things...not in your strength, but through Christ who strengthens you.
Philippians 4:13 AMPC
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
Have you tried just taking God’s Word as it is...literally? I do all the time and His Word never, ever fails. Try it and see.
In conclusion, let's be intentional about looking after our bodies as The Temple of God that it is. Remember that we have His Word to depend on to get us through the initial struggles on this journey. Are you ready?
0 Comment