“Do you not know that your body is a temple 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 body…” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What does the Bible say about taking care of our bodies?
The Bible says the bodies of believers are temples of the Holy Spirit. That means God the Holy Spirit LIVES inside of you. It makes sense, then, that we should take good care of ourselves.
That being the case, how can so many people abuse their bodies? It not shortens not only their lives, but also the ability for God to use them for His purposes.
Let’s dig a little deeper.
Eating disorders is one of the prevalent mental illnesses that causes someone to abuse their bodies:
- People with anorexia nervosa have a distorted body image that causes them to see themselves as overweight even when they’re dangerously thin. Often refusing to eat, exercising compulsively, and developing unusual habits, such as refusing to eat in front of others, they lose large amounts of weight and can even starve to death.
- Individuals with bulimia nervosa eat excessive quantities, then purge their bodies of the food by using laxatives, diuretics, vomiting, or exercising. Often acting in secrecy, they feel disgusted and ashamed as they binge, yet relieved of tension and negative emotions, once their stomachs are empty again.
- Like people with bulimia, those with binge eating disorder experience frequent episodes of out-of-control eating. The difference is that binge eaters don’t purge their bodies of excess calories and they easily become gluttonous.
These disorders are all consuming & impact the ability to think rationally. The devastating effects on the body & far reaching (impacting family and other relationships).
But, there is hope! God has provided many tools to help. Here are a few:
- Psycho-therapy & counseling
- Support groups
- And yes, even prescriptions may be needed to manage this illness. It can take years to recover, establish & stabilize into healthy patterns of behavior & coping skills.
- Now, read the last line of this devotional. That’s the best news.
If you or someone you know suffers from a mental illness that can cause them to harm the body, seek God’s help for the supernatural strength only He can provide. His desire is for your body – His temple – and your mind to be healthy and at peace. Then, you are able to serve Him with all of your strength!
And remember this…
For with God, all things are possible.
