My Body, God's Way
God only gave us our bodies for the short while that we're here on earth, and as temporary as it is, it's still His creation. From that first breath of life in Genesis 2:7, God has used these human vessels as transportation for His creation. Even as we wear out and break down, our body is a glorious gift.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The Lord Himself says that my body is a temple, a place of worship. And think about how your behavior should be in the House of God - a little more reverent, a little less distracted. Imagine being that way with your body - being more aware of the things you eat, how much you eat, how much sleep you get, how much time you spend on the couch, the way you medicate - simply because your body is a temple, a gift from God.
Does your body feel like a temple today? It may feel like we suffer alone with our headaches, backaches, knee pain, chiropractor visits, trips to the oncologist, and frequent outings to the pharmacy. Does that sound like a temple? Does that sound like something to give thanks for? It should be, because this is the only one we get! We can't trade it in for a newer model, so we learn to adapt, to pamper the one we have a little so it looks and feels a little more like a temple, and we should try not to let negative feelings show on the outside of our temple.
We tend to think that just because God bestowed free will upon us that we're entitled to do anything to our bodies we want. But that's how the world ends up with drug addicts, alcoholics and 900-pound people, right? God's view is completely the opposite.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people. and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3
We had nothing to do with the creation of our physical bodies, but we seem to think that because we're in them 24/7 that we have supreme control, and that just isn't true. We do make the choices about what foods we put on them, how we exercise them, how much rest they receive, but ultimately God is the only one who determines how they function, how well they function and how long they will last.
Part of our relationship with the Lord is viewing our bodies as part of the Child of the King along with our spirits, so they can be nurtured together. It may not be perfect, it may not function the way it always has, but it's working exactly the way God needs it to at exactly this moment in time for exactly the purpose He intends.
It's about the Lord's expectations for my body, not mine.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The Lord Himself says that my body is a temple, a place of worship. And think about how your behavior should be in the House of God - a little more reverent, a little less distracted. Imagine being that way with your body - being more aware of the things you eat, how much you eat, how much sleep you get, how much time you spend on the couch, the way you medicate - simply because your body is a temple, a gift from God.
Does your body feel like a temple today? It may feel like we suffer alone with our headaches, backaches, knee pain, chiropractor visits, trips to the oncologist, and frequent outings to the pharmacy. Does that sound like a temple? Does that sound like something to give thanks for? It should be, because this is the only one we get! We can't trade it in for a newer model, so we learn to adapt, to pamper the one we have a little so it looks and feels a little more like a temple, and we should try not to let negative feelings show on the outside of our temple.
We tend to think that just because God bestowed free will upon us that we're entitled to do anything to our bodies we want. But that's how the world ends up with drug addicts, alcoholics and 900-pound people, right? God's view is completely the opposite.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people. and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3
We had nothing to do with the creation of our physical bodies, but we seem to think that because we're in them 24/7 that we have supreme control, and that just isn't true. We do make the choices about what foods we put on them, how we exercise them, how much rest they receive, but ultimately God is the only one who determines how they function, how well they function and how long they will last.
Part of our relationship with the Lord is viewing our bodies as part of the Child of the King along with our spirits, so they can be nurtured together. It may not be perfect, it may not function the way it always has, but it's working exactly the way God needs it to at exactly this moment in time for exactly the purpose He intends.
It's about the Lord's expectations for my body, not mine.
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