Be Good to Your BodyНамуна

BEYOND IDOLATRY OR IDLENESS

Many of us grew up feeling pressured to consume low-calorie everything. Then we grew up and . . . whiplash! . . . were hit with the body-positivity movement and were told that no matter what our bodies are like, we should just love them. Now we find ourselves bombarded by conflicting health advice about diet culture.

We’ve complicated healthy living so much in our society that it’s no wonder we’re confused and stressed. We often see examples of idolatry (being obsessed with health and healthy living) or idleness (loving our bodies as they are, with little regard for what is good for them).

What if the real solution to these extremes has been there all along, nestled in the pages of the Bible—the Word of the One who created our bodies and shows us what our bodies have needed to thrive since the beginning of time? What if God has already given us the guidelines for what it means to be healthy?

When I faced a health crisis years ago, and set out on a healing journey as a result, I eventually realized that I had unintentionally shut God out of my health journey. So I began to course correct and seek His guidance in the decisions I was making for my health. When I stopped attempting to do it all on my own, when I stopped trying so hard to fix my body and instead focused on being good to my body—on considering my biological needs, giving my body the good things God designed for it to thrive, and seeking out help in the areas where I needed additional support—my body began to be good to me.

How we care for our bodies directly affects our mental, spiritual, and emotional health. Romans 12:1 says that our bodies were meant to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, for this is our spiritual act of worship. The two cannot be separated.

So this tells me that caring for your body well is about bringing God glory, not to fix everything about yourself. While your decisions and disciplines do matter, your heart—your body—is a temple of the Holy Spirit, the place where God Himself chooses to dwell (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are a daughter of the King! When you believe that truth, you will be able to treat your body accordingly—not like an idol or a burden, but like royalty.

God, I want to partner with You in how I care for my body. Help me hear Your voice and use Your Word as my guide. Amen.