Does God really care about our physical health, the way we steward our mortal bodies? Come on, aren’t our bodies just going to perish anyway? Maybe asking if God cares what we eat and how much we move isn’t the best question. Scriptures is clear that salvation is faith in Christ alone, and not our health habits, so “care” may not be the best line of questions. A better question is: Does God reward the way we eat and move our physical bodies? Hmmm?
Below is a cut from an email I received today about physical health and spiritual maturity.
“[My husband] and I just completed our first Daniel’s Fast together. It was an amazing experience. Not only was it eye-opening, but it helped us reach clarity in some areas and brought us into deeper prayer in others. We also felt great physically afterward. For someone who has been on every crash diet in the book and struggled with eating disorders throughout high school and college, feeling balanced and spirit-led in eating was a first.”
“Here is what compelled me to write: Now that our fast is over, I am struggling with what to do next as far as my diet/eating habits are concerned. I desperately want to honor God with my body in a way I never have before, and break through strongholds of how I view my body and the way I eat (which has always been driven by guilt). I am re-reading “The Maker’s Diet” now and have been praying for direction but seem to be coming up short so far. I say all this because I know I can’t be the only person struggling in this area. In fact, knowing the obesity rates in America, and even in Lynchburg, I believe this has become a spiritual issue, as well as a physical one.”
“My point is this: Is this worth addressing to the body as a whole at Brentwood? How to honor God with our bodies–through our diet, fasting and beyond would be well-received and needed. Again, I could be off-base here and forgive my ramblings, but it’s something I’m fighting through right now and felt led to email you about it.”
Here’s my response to her:
“Sunday, I drove away from Brentwood, after telling a story about my cheesecake consumption, feeling absolutely crushed by God’s pressing. Okay, someone joked about my growing stomach, too. Whether God’s conviction or jovial shame, I got the point: Am I really stewarding the physical body God has given me? Answer: Not like I used to.”
“So, today, is Day-5 of my more reasonable journey back to moderation and balance. Someone in my community group asked me about my BYOS-salad Wednesday night at our group meal.”
“‘What’s with the salad?’” He said.
“’Just trying to bring self-control to another area of my life,’” I responded.
“’What’s your plan?’”
I tried to keep it simple,“’Just eating less and clean.’”
“’What?’”
“’Clean food,’ I answered. “Whole, less processed, and less of it.’”
Bottom Line: Does God require that we eat better and exercise more to know Him, inherit His Kingdom and spread the Gospel? My study of Scriptures says no way. And yet, has He wired our physical bodies to last longer and respond better if we take care of it? Yes.
These are mine, but what are your thoughts?
Jeremy
25th Feb, 11
Even though I’m a fellow Krispy Kreme lover, I’m still glad to see a pastor actually addressing these types of issues. Personally, I would love to hear teaching on this topic at church on a Sunday morning. Not because churchgoers are fat or lazy, but because Christ followers need to realize that many seemingly non-spiritual topics are indeed very much relevant to our spiritual lives. I’d love to see the gap close between what people view as “part of my walk with God” and “just everyday things”. The two are inseparable in my opinion.
atLucas
25th Feb, 11
I will definitely agree that physical health and spiritual health are tied together. I can only speak for myself–knowing that we all are different. However, we share the same creator and I agree that he wants us to be good stewards of EVERYTHING that he has given us, to include our mortal bodies.
atI come from a very large family (in number and in pant size) and food was always a sign of financial peace in our home. Growing up on food stamps in a family of eight was a sure sign that beans and cornbread would be our staple. However, with the start of a new month came every unhealthy edible indulgence instead of a budgeting of resources. This crutch revealed itself in my own life when I struggled with a separate addiction. With that addiction came guilt and shame which I would medicate with food. I have found, though, that the times I feel the best and am very much on track spiritually are the days I am disciplining my body physically in the gym and spiritually in God’s Word. I will not be at the front of the line of people growing everything they eat, nor at the front of the buffet. All I know is, for me, discipline in every area of my life has never lead me AWAY from God and that’s definitely something I want to pass to my children.
Jon
25th Feb, 11
Good stuff.
atLee
25th Feb, 11
Anything can be an idol which replaces God in our lives, including food. This is admittedly my greatest struggle.
at