We need to do regular maintenance on the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
If our bodies truly are the home of the Holy Spirit (and they are), and if we are called to carry out our Kingdom Assignments with this physical body (and we are) then one of our most serious responsibilities is to steward ourselves.
I can’t help but wonder if one of the most effective tactics of the enemy is to keep us unhealthy, to the point where we are unable to fulfill our Assignments. There are three areas where you and I must be diligent to care for ourselves to the glory of God.
our physical health
our mental health
our emotional health
Stewarding Your Body
What car are you driving today? Imagine if you were told that this vehicle is the one you will own and drive for the remainder of your life. Would it make a difference in how you care for it? The body you have is it! To the best of our ability we must care for our physical bodies so that we have the strength, endurance, and energy to fulfill our Kingdom Assignments while we’re on earth. I know the “the outer man is decaying, but the inner man is being renewed day by day,” (2 Corinthians 4:16) but I want to hinder that decay as much as I can, don’t you? Is your lifestyle and your diet advancing or hindering that decay?
Stewarding Your Mind
It’s important that we, as far as possible, don’t allow our minds to go to mush. There are things we can do to keep our minds sharp. Reading, puzzles, conversation, problem solving…just plain thinking about things deeply. It’s tempting to let all of our technology do the thinking for us, but the brain needs exercise as much as the muscles do. Be willing to feel the burn!
Stewarding Your Emotions
Have you ever heard of so much anxiety and depression as surrounds us today? A part of “guarding our hearts” is to guard our emotions. I believe the only way to live in this world and do that is to saturate our minds with the Word of God. Truth. Wisdom. Peace. Joy. This, however, takes time, and busyness is our enemy here. The solution? Make a place for sabbath rest. Turn off the world’s noise as often as you can and soak in a hot tub of truth. Ahhh.
Thank God for the bodies He has formed for us! Lord, grant us health in our bodies, our minds, and our emotions SO THAT we can glorify You.
Amen. May it be so.
Comments