How to Honor God With Your Body
I’m trying something new this week. For five days in a row, I’m going to share a new post each day on a topic personal to me that affects every one of us, whether we like it or not. Welcome to "Wellness Week." For the next five days, I’m going to share about a different aspect of wellness: eating, exercise, sleep and more, written from the perspective of how it affects us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
If you are on this site and you want marriage/relationship stuff, I have two quick thoughts for you:
Don’t fret. In a week I’ll be back to writing about marriage and relationships.
Your wellness affects your marriage and relationships more than you probably realize, so even though this series will not directly be about marriage and relationships, it will touch on it indirectly in every post.
God is "wrecking shop" in my life right now when it comes to wellness.
Wrecking Shop: To “go to town”, to do something with vigor, very enthusiastically (Per Wikipedia)
He is “going to town” on every part of me right now, body and spirit, when it comes to wellness. I am in the middle of a 12-week group for staff at Watermark called WELL. WELL is a ministry focused on bringing glory to God through helping believers and non-believers understand what the bible says about the stewardship of their body. Our leaders/coaches use workouts, lessons, testimonies, reading and homework over 12 weeks to look at God’s truth on topics like vision, community, humility and discipleship. We address what we eat, how we move, what we’re thinking, how we sleep (or don't sleep).
This is my third time going through WELL, and in the past I have done great for 12 week. But after we're done, I eventually fall back into my old patterns. I am praying and planning on making some permanent changes in my life this time around, and it seems like God is doing some serious heart work in me, more than ever before.
So, to get this "Wellness Week" started, I have a few questions for you (and a great book giveaway). I will start with more content tomorrow, but today is designed to set-up the series. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Don’t you know 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.”
Keeping in mind Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, when you think about wellness in your life, how are you doing at honoring God with your body in the following areas?
How much sleep are you getting every night? Are you going to bed around the same time and getting up around the same time? Do you have trouble falling asleep or waking up? Do you struggle with bedtime procrastination?
How’s your eating? I don’t want to get to bent out of shape on this one since everyone has different opinions on what to eat, what not to eat, how much to eat, when to eat and when not to eat. But, I think there is enormous value in knowing what your body likes and doesn’t like.
I know I feel better when I put good food in my body. And I have benefitted from tracking calories in an app like My Fitness Pal so I know exactly what and how much I am putting into my body. I don’t recommend this for everyone (especially if you struggle with an eating disorder), but I have found tracking my food to be quite eye opening.
Are you drinking too much? That could be alcohol, coffee or Dr. Pepper. Insert your drink of choice.
Are you using any substance that is harmful for your body? This could be as serious as drugs or as legal and seemingly benign as cigarettes or a dip.
How are you doing with exercise and physical activity? What do you enjoy doing for workouts? For example, I know running is not fun for a lot of people. Maybe you'd prefer to play a team sport like basketball, soccer or even tennis. Have you tried working out in community with friends, both for the enjoyment and accountability factor?
What’s your stress level right now? What are the things that bring the most stress into your life? Is it your job, your marriage, your health, your kids or something else? I know memorizing scripture and prayer have been most helpful for me when I feel the stress and anxiety levels rise.
Note: My community group recently started asking ourselves these questions above when it comes to wellness and stewarding our bodies for God’s glory.
Here are the links for the rest of the posts in the #WelllnessWeek series:
Part 2 in the series - What Are Four Obstacles to Growth in Wellness?
Your Turn:
I’d love to hear how you’re doing in any of the above areas. What’s been the biggest struggle or victory for you when it comes to wellness? Respond below, on Instagram or on Facebook and I’ll randomly pick a comment and give away a copy of one of my favorite books, Every Body Matters: Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen Your Soul, by Gary Thomas. I’ll share more about this book on Friday (Day 5 of "Wellness Week"), but for now, leave a comment and I’ll pick one winner to receive a copy of this great book by Thomas. (NOTE: Book Given away already - see comments below).