19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
IT’S TIME TO SURRENDER YOUR UNHEALTHY EATING HABITS TO JESUS
If you read the scriptures before verse 19-20, it references fornication and why we as Believers in Jesus Christ should flee it. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost. However, the same applies for unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise. The foods we eat determine our energy levels, how we feel, how we look, your health and even life span. You eat trash every day all day coupled with no exercise, Psalm 91:16a (long life) will not apply to you. God gives us wisdom and choices to make.
12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. -1 Corinthians 6:12-13a KJV
No condemnation here. In the past I have struggled with constant weight gain and loss. From 150 to 204 lbs( Highest I’ve ever been), then back down only to go back up again. During this time, I wasn’t consistent with working out, I was overworked, not getting enough rest, I was super stressed, depressed, and experienced anxiety. I had constant fatigue, I couldn’t focus on my work, and I was consistently waking up in the middle of the night (even though that had a lot to do with my dreams). All of this was spiritual and I just didn’t know that at the time. We will get into that in another post, but for the sake of this post let’s stick to consistency in maintaining good physical and mental health.
How did I mitigate this? I had to make a decision to make my physical health a priority. I set aside days and times to workout. I got a personal trainer that I had to pay at the beginning of every month, which solidified my need to show up because who wants to just throw money away. LOL
I purposely didn’t buy junk food at the store so when I craved it at home I didn’t have access to it. I knew myself, once I’m home that’s it. I’m not going back out for a pack of sour worms, cookies, or ice cream.
Aside from getting a personal trainer, I got help with nutrition. This is the hardest part of your health journey. This is where YOU have to be disciplined because your nutritionist/coach can’t be there every day with you while you’re eating. It’s up to you to follow the meal plans they give you. Boy did I fail in this area A LOT! Before I knew I was back in the 200 pounder club.
Now would be a good time to mention that mental health matters when it comes to weight loss! Once you (really God) fix the mind then you can literally do anything. Also, a good time to mention that if you don’t get proper rest/sleep, you won’t achieve the results you want.
There were things I needed to stop doing for a season or permanently. There were people I needed to separate myself from. There were things I needed to focus on more for a season. The main thing I had to change was allocating spending more time with the Lord.
“ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33 KJV
You will see me say this scripture a lot, but it’s so true. When you fix your eyes on Jesus, everything is literally added to you. This is also a place where God will let you know what to strip away. For myself this was a process. If you haven’t watched my testimony on my youtube Channel, watch it here. (NOTE: If you’re easily distracted by background music, then watch it here with no background music.) This is how my journey began to rectify everything in my life that was hindering me from fulfilling God’s purpose and will for my life.
The soul is your mind, will, and emotions. If the enemy has that under attack, then everything else can and will suffer; to include your physical health. How to gain freedom in this area will require the help of God. We cannot do this on our own. However, there are steps we must take. For some that might require therapy. NOTE: Please find a born again Christ follower as your therapist. Otherwise you’ll just be feeding the enemy your information. From a friend that is in this field, a lot of new age witchcraft takes place in this field. Make sure you take everything to God in prayer first.
Next was prayer and fasting! You will probably hear me say this a lot, but it’s a REQUIRED tool that God has given us. How do we know it’s required?
The Bible says, 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men too fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. -Matthew 6:16-18 KJV
Jesus says here, when YOU FAST and NOT IF YOU FAST. Meaning fasting should be a regular occurrence for every Christ follower. This is how we humble ourselves before God. This is how we make sacrifices to God today under the new covenant.
So not only is prayer and fasting an amazing tool used to help with deliverance and to help you renew the mind, Romans 12:2, but it also reset the body when done right.
NOTE: Real biblical fasting is abstaining from food for a period of time. Read Isaiah 58 or the book of Esther. I.E. 6am-6pm no food, water only or no food for how many days you’ve been called to fast.
So just to recap, I made my health a priority. I did this by setting goals, making a plan, and hiring a personal trainer. Next, I began to work on my mental health by going to therapy, shifted my focus to God, I began to rest more, and cut out the noise/people/whatever else God told me to cut out. I added prayer and fasting in my routine. Before I knew it my mind was being renewed and the weight began to drop off of me.
In conclusion, my experience underscores the intricate relationship between physical, mental, and spiritual health. By prioritizing self-care (through exercise, healthy eating, and addressing mental health), seeking divine guidance from the One True Living God, and embracing spiritual disciplines (prayer and fasting), we can cultivate holistic well-being. As we commit our bodies, minds, and souls to God, we embark on a journey of transformation and restoration in Christ Jesus. Stay blessed people of God.
