Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Corinthians 6:19
Yesterday my knees were aching. This is something that happens occasionally. Actually, it happens more often the older I get. I have a hereditary condition in which one of the ligaments that hold my kneecap in place never formed properly. My sister, who has the same condition, has had surgery on both her knees, and encourages me to do the same. While I know that at some point I will have to go in for surgery as well, I am hoping to put it off. After all, who has time for that?
So, I did not go walking yesterday. Then my fun-loving and impulsive husband encouraged me to run out and get ice cream last night. I got out of the habit of buying sweets when grocery shopping many years ago, so every once in a while he feels the need to run out and get something that is not good for us. And now that we are empty-nesters, there is no one in the house for which we are trying to set an example. We feel like children ourselves, running to the corner store, and coming back to sit in front of the TV with a big bowl of ice cream, all giddy with our ability to partake in a self-indulgent treat together.
Then today I was reminded of this verse. The thought that this body God gave us is home to the Holy Spirit is sobering. Do I really have the right to be self-indulgent? Shouldn’t I go back to the doctor and take care of my knees so I can exercise? The fact that I skipped walking and had a big bowl of ice cream last night is weighing on my heart as much as it is probably weighing on my hips.
So how can we honor God with how we care for our bodies? Healthy eating and physical exercise are things we can do in moderation to care for ourselves.
Limiting your skin’s contact with chemicals is another way. If you think about it, our skin is the largest organ on our body, giving it a large surface area. Our skin comes in contact with multiple chemicals in many forms throughout our day. This makes for a large propensity for damage to the organ that is designed to protect our delicate, inner organs. If we are properly caring for our bodies, we must also protect our skin.
It is good to remind ourselves from time to time that our body is a temple. It is good to make sure we are exercising this body and not putting things into or on our body that damage it. My hope is that Sweet Beautiful You is a reminder that there are healthier ways to live and protect our temples. The body God gave you is part of what makes you beautiful, Sweet Beautiful You!