“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
This verse has always carried deep meaning for me. From an early age, I have understood the importance of taking care of myself. I was referred to as the “health nut”. Not sure why even early on, I inherently understood that this was one area that I had control over. This didn’t mean that I would not experience illnesses and other physical challenges.
As I grew up and began having some health challenges, I became eternally grateful that as I navigated these difficult times, I had a strong body in which to fight. Losing a lung at the age of 50 after being a life-long fitness advocate came as quite a shock. However, the issues were real, and my world as I knew it was forever changed.
As the COVID issue has emerged into all of our lives, many people are living in fear of the unknown. Of course, none of us knows that tomorrow holds. We do, however, have the opportunity to do whatever we can to boost our own health and wellness. There is no better time than to honor God and yourself by honoring your body and your health.
The first step to wholeness and wellness is to recognize that your body is a temple. You have been given this life and the vessel in which to navigate your journey. Yes, this temple will take some hits. I know mine certainly has.
Next, eat whole, alive foods. The more you can eat food the way God placed it on this earth, the better. Avoiding highly processed foods, fast foods, and junk, the more immune ammo you will have when you are fighting all of the pathogens out there. Ask yourself this question before you eat or drink anything: “Is this life-giving, or life-taking?”
Your temple also needs to be exercised. Just like your car, if it sits in the garage and isn’t properly run and tuned, it will not function well when needed. Your body was not meant to be sedentary. You need to be up and moving as much as you possibly can.
Proper rest and sleep are also essential for overall health. Sleep requirements vary from person to person, however, we all need at least 6-8 hours per night. Rest is also important and different from sleep. Knowing when to rest your mind from stress, taking time to relax, and learning to let-go are all extremely valuable in order to maintain optimal health.
Finally, taking time to spend in prayer, Bible study, and worship will fill a void in your life like nothing else. Don’t ignore the special moments with God. Balance in all that we do is critical. Spending time with the Almighty will help you maintain your temple and provide you with the balance you need.
Blessings as you strive to honor your temple. God commands us to care for this amazing body He has given us. Today is the day to begin your new journey into health and wellness.