PHYSICAL WELLNESS (2)

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

There are Bible-sense and commonsense Strategies for enhancing PHYSICAL WELLNESS: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor.10:31). We’ve noted how critical the human body is to overall Wellness, being the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor.6:19-20). While contemporary culture is obsessed with physical beauty and sexy bodies, many believers ignore their bodies as if they don’t matter. But they do. God knows our physical frames: “For He knows our FRAME; He remembers that we are dust” (Psa.103:14). He desires that we also glorify Him in our bodies, being His temple (1Cor.6: 19-20).

Several Bible verses that talk about Wellness, emphasize the importance of taking our physical health seriously and caring for our bodies. Thankfully, God gives us the blueprint on how best to do these and provide them with proper sustenance and maintenance. While the Bible doesn’t offer medical guidance directly, there are many applicable principles that Believers should pay attention to. We can gain Bible Sense for Sound Health: “You made my body, Lord; now give me SENSE to heed your laws” (Psa.119:73, TLB). Maximized Physical Wellness relates to: Healthy eating; good, rewarding Rest; sound, sweet Sleep, and profitable Exercises.

Healthy Eating: God is uniquely interested in the human body and whatever goes into it, because our bodies belong to Him (v.31). They are His property, not ours! He created the body, and expects us to use it the way He designed it to be used (1Cor.6:12-20). Food is a gift from God, that is used to celebrate, entertain, nourish, show hospitality, and care for people in tangible ways. Besides the vices of overeating and undereating, food is a daily essential. Early in creation, God underscored the value of plants and vegetables in nutrition (Gen.1:29). We can bring God into our diet, by striving to honour Him in choices of food and drinks (Dan.1: 8-16). It is remarkable that one of the fundamental sacraments in Christianity – the breaking of bread – centres on food and drink!

Good Rest: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST” (Matt.11:28). That is: “Come to Me, all who are stressed, and I will give you REST”! Rest is God’s Remedy for Stress – that emotional or physical tension due to any event or thought that makes one feel frustrated, angry or nervous. We can find rest and refuge in the Living God, rather than turn to food, illicit drugs, alcohol tobacco, tranquilizers, or pornography as coping behaviours against stress (1Cor.10:13; Phil.4: 4-7).

Sleep: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid, when you lie down, your SLEEP will be SWEET” (Pro.3:24). Rest includes good Sleep Habits: “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so HE GIVES His beloved SLEEP” (Psa.127:2). God can bless with sweet sleep or remove it, as He did for King Ahasuerus and Darius (Est.6: 1-3; Dan.6:18-19). He Who keeps Israel does not slumber or sleep, for His Beloved to enjoy the Blessing of Sweet, Sound Sleep (Psa.121:4). Medically, quality sleep is immensely beneficial to health and wellness: It keeps the heart healthy; reduces stress, inflammation, and the risk of depression; makes one alert; improves memory, concentration, and productivity; and helps the body repair itself.

Exercises: “Physical exercise has some value, but Spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future” (1Tim.4:8, Good News Bible). This is not an excuse to not exercise; rather it prioritizes spiritual exercise above the physical. For example, personal devotion or quiet time, is more crucial and eternally rewarding than an early session in the gym; yet both are valuable! It’s important to wake up early to spend time with the Lord, as well as to wake up early to work out!

God wants His children to carry a vibrant and strong spirit with a sound mind in a fit body that is in shape (1The.5:23-24).