We've all met people addicted to taking care of their physical bodies. They are committed to good health by spending countless hours exercising and eating healthily! So, what does the Bible say about taking care of our physical bodies? Should we push ourselves hard at the gym and eat nothing but healthy food? First, we must understand that our bodies are given by God and are for God. Our bodies do not belong to us. We are all called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted us with. This includes how we take care of ourselves physically. See, how we take care of our bodies affects our souls. When we are in good physical shape, we can meet the spiritual needs around us. God is calling us to treat our bodies well for His glory. Here are a few points to consider.
1. Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
Father, help me to understand that the body You've given me is not mine. It is made for Your glory, not my glory. Teach me to be a good steward and honor You with how I treat my body. This includes what I eat, how I speak about my body, and living a life of sexual purity. I am aware my body is a temple, meaning it is sacred. Help me to not pollute the temple You have entrusted me with. I realize it is a high responsibility to keep myself from sexual immorality. Still, in Your strength Lord, I am able. I choose to rely on You to help me live a life of purity. In Jesus' name, amen.
2. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. - 1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
Lord, I understand that physical training is beneficial to my physical body. However, may I never place physical exercise above the spiritual. Help me to train for godliness. I long to be more like You, Jesus. In word and deed, help me to be conformed to Your image. This is my desire, Lord. I submit this to You in faith. In Jesus' name, amen.
3. Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. - 3 John 1:2 NLT
Father, You have called me to prosper in my physical body. I realize that my body is intended to bring You glory. I also understand taking care of my physical body can become idolatry. Teach me to balance good physical health while prioritizing my spiritual life. I am wired to know You. Knowing You is my greatest priority in life. Help me to keep my focus on You. In Jesus' name, amen.
4. So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
God, I realize that my whole life is about bringing You glory. I am not the point of this life. It's about You. So, help me do it all for You. Help me to acknowledge that You have given me all that I have. This includes food, my taste, and my ability to enjoy the food I consume. May my eating and drinking roll over to worship. My whole life is designed to bring You glory. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I pray for help to do this. In Jesus' name, amen.
5. And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him - Romans 12:1 NLT
Father, I pray for strength to give my body to You because of what You've done for me. Use my hands, feet, and eyes for Your glory. I offer my whole being to You. My heart, mind, body, and soul belong to You. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for me. With that in mind, I worship You for giving Your Son to die for my sins. You have supplied my greatest need, which is to be forgiven of my sins. My desire is to be acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus' name, amen.
6. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit - Ephesians 5:18 NLT
Heavenly Father, teach me to be led by the Holy Spirit. As I fill my mind with the truth of Your Word, I trust that You will lead me. Teach me how to live according to the Spirit, not the flesh. My desire is to live a life of discipline for Your glory. Denying my flesh is hard. When I desire instant gratification, remind me of the reward of saying 'no' to the temporary and 'yes' to the eternal. This includes prayer, fasting, and taking care of my physical body. Apart from You, I am nothing. I acknowledge my need for You as I discipline myself. Help me to lean on Your strength, not mine. In Jesus' name, amen.
7. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. - Proverbs 13:12 NLT
Heavenly Father, You are my hope. Give me the strength to fix my eyes on You and to make You my ultimate pursuit. Strip me of any idols in my life. Help me to be aware of what is competing with You in my heart. You deserve my best. Although You call me to take care of my physical body, this is not my ultimate priority. My highest goal is to know You. May I never lose hope. Since You are my hope, I choose to cling to You. Teach me to guard my heart, for it is the wellspring of life. I long to walk in joy and be full of life because You live inside me. May I never lose sight of pursuing that which has eternal value. In Jesus' name, amen.
8. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. - Ephesians 5:29 NLT
Father, help me to have a healthy view of my body. This body is a gift given to me to bring You glory. Help me discipline myself to treat it with honor and respect. As I discipline myself to eat well and exercise, teach me to be gracious to myself. Forgive me for all the times I've disliked my body. Forgive me for the times I've compared my body to others. I receive Your forgiveness, today Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
