Wisdom For LivingSample

Physical Wisdom: Physical Care Plan

The Holy Spirit has such high regard for our bodies that He makes His residence within us. Our body, His temple, is His holy habitation. Just as we wouldn’t desecrate a church with unholy influences, so also we should not mistreat the temple of the Holy Spirit with unhealthy influences. Indeed, it is our spiritual responsibility to nourish and care for what God owns and allows us to inhabit. We should seek to make wise decisions in our physical care plan since our soulmate, God’s Spirit, lives within us.

A plan to care for our body protects us from abuse and neglect. Yes, God’s pinnacle of creation is fearfully and wonderfully made, as evidenced by its resilience to restore and heal itself. The Maker of our marvelous self expects us to love our body as He does. We care for ourselves so we can care for others. 

“Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church” (Ephesians 5:28-29).

What does it mean for us to feed and care for our bodies as Christ does the church? Look at how He cherishes and nourishes the church, His body, with what is necessary for its growth, holiness, and happiness. In the same way, we should love our bodies by submitting it to a healthy diet and regular exercise. We should love, respect, and enjoy ourselves as God does. Our physical care plan can include healthy meals at home, a workout partner, and a competent, caring physician.    

Perhaps a fast is necessary for you to refocus on the Lord and flush toxins from your system. A break from solid food can help to break us from its addictive influence. Food is for our physical nourishment and emotional enjoyment, but we should not let it become an idol through over-consumption. What consumes us controls us. Perhaps you might start with a juice fast for three days before tackling a water-only fast for a week. A fast can recalibrate our physical and spiritual desires to align with God’s will.