BODY and Spirit

A sweet friend and co-worker of mine has begun an accountability group for food and fitness. This morning I sat down to share a thought with the group but when the words kept coming, I decided that it might as well be a post here. haha.

When I began the Bible Study "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst, I was surprised to think that God might care about what I eat. I mean after all, it is a necessity. We are supposed to eat, right? YES.

But what are you eating? How much or how little are you eating? And what is it doing to your body or your mood? 

We all know that drinking alcohol can make you hyper, drowsy or even careless at times. Caffeine can wind you up. I also discovered that after being diagnosed with food allergies, wheat and sugary things make me very agitated. If I eat any or even too much of those things, it can make my "love walk" harder for me to do successfully. This might not be the same for you at all but perhaps something else in your diet is causing another issue that you've been wrestling with... unbeknownst to you.

Anyway, I read this piece of commentary this morning and it reminded me of my friends group. First let me share the verse and may it also speak to you. 

"Dear Friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go along well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." - 3 John 1:2

The Commentary is from my Life Application Bible.

"John was concerned for Gaius's physical and spiritual well-being. This was the opposite of the popular heresy that taught the separation of spirit and matter and despised the physical side of life. Today, many people still fall into this way of thinking. This non-Christian attitude logically leads to one of two responses: neglect of the body and physical health or indulgence of the body’s sinful desires. God is concerned for both your body and your soul. As a responsible Christian, you should neither neglect nor indulge yourself, but care for your physical needs and discipline your body so that you are at your best for God’s service."

Boy that kind of forces us to stop in our tracks, huh? You know 1 Corinthians 6:19 says that your body is a temple. Now close your eyes and imagine what you might find inside a temple. How might it also be cared for? 

If you switch that temple to your body, are those things that you imagined the same things that you're putting inside of your own body and temple? Do you even give it a pinch of the same maintenance, upkeep or attention?

If you're feeling a little pressure, don't let it turn to condemnation. TODAY you learned something new. The application begins now. :) Please also know that I join you here. I have put a lot more emphasis on my spiritual walk the last few years. It's been great but now that my babies are all running around, I know it's time to add a little something more. Won't you join me?

P.S. If you're looking for a local group of women to support and be encouraged by let me know. I have a friend in the Northern Neck and another in Gloucester. They both have a Facebook group that can help keep you accountable. :)

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