Healthy Body/Healthy Temples

3 John 1:2 (NLT) Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

God designed our physical bodies for great things. He provided food and water to fuel our bodies. So why aren't people of faith setting an example for the world to follow as being the healthiest people on the planet? I believe it is because we have neglected to see our bodies as tools of righteousness.

Taking care of our bodies and stewarding our health should be as important as sharing our faith and reading our Bibles. Why, may you ask? It is because our bodies are a gift from God, and when someone gives you a gift, you should cherish it.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?"(ESV)

For years, I never viewed the body in this way. I ate what I wanted, neglected to exercise, and as a result, have paid a great price for allowing my temple to go into ruins. Maybe you are at the same place. No matter what your age, you can begin to make transformative changes. Perhaps it is starting a nutrition program, cutting out the carbs, or starting to take walks. Whatever the Lord shows you, begin making one change at a time. He will bless your obedience with success.

Are you ready to be transformed and make your body a living sacrifice? Are you ready to be a witness to the world that the lust of the flesh does not rule you and that the indulgences of life can be enjoyed but not control your life?

Points to Ponder

Ask the Lord to show you what areas of your life are unyielded, and that keeps you in a place of fear and bound to making unhealthy choices. Write them down.

Becoming healthy can be difficult in the beginning. Old habits are trill hard to break. What habits are you convicted about that you know that you are allowing your flesh to rule over your spirit? Be honest with yourself; God already knows...

And finally, take a hard look at yourself in the mirror, make an honest assessment, and then pray. Tell your Creator that you surrender your life, your body, your heart, your choices, and every facet of your being to His will. Then ask Him to change you from the inside out so that what is reflected on the outside is the transformation that is going on on the inside.