Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in His own image;"
God created us in His image, and He designed us to be good stewards of what He has given us. As Christians, we are called to Love God, Love others, but we are also called to be good stewards of our physical health in order to serve God better. The Oxford dictionary defines stewardship as the job of supervising or taking care of something. We want to give you more information on how to be stewards of or take care of our physical health. We were all fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14) created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). But because of the fall, we are all fallen beings for whom illness, disease and death are inevitable.
Why is our physical health important?
All of us are unique and we have our own struggles when it comes to our health. Jesus said in John 16:33 that in this world we will have troubles and our health may be part of that troubles. So even if our bodies are not functioning properly, it is still our responsibility to do what we can, to take care of our physical health, when it is possible for us to do so.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ~ What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, and that you are not your own? You were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. Even if Paul talks about sexual purity in this verse, we can still apply that concept to other areas regarding our bodies. He also speaks about serving the Lord with all that we have including our bodies. How can we do that if we are bad stewards of our physical health? Romans 12:1 ~ I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship.
What does the Bible say about physical health?
Proverbs 23:20-21 ~ Do not be among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
This verse talks about gluttony and excessive alcohol use. If we are to be good stewards of our physical health, it is important for us to eat nutritious food, which nourishes our bodies. It is also important to eat in moderation so that we do not be overcome by drowsiness and laziness which will prevent us from glorifying God. The verse also suggests staying away from excessive alcohol use as too much alcohol leads to many health risks as well as behavioral problems which is not acceptable to God (Proverbs 20:1)
1 Timothy 4:8 ~ For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable in all things, holding promise for the present life and also for the life to come. This verse speaks about how godliness should be our aim because it is profitable for us in this life and in our eternal home. But Paul also mentions that bodily exercise is profitable. In this day with many people living sedentary lifestyles due to office jobs etc., we need to make an effort, wherever possible, to exercise our bodies in order for us to stay strong and healthy so that we have the strength to do all the things that we were created to do. If you do not feel that joining a gym is for you, it is as easy as taking a walk in nature every day and spend time with God and His creation while doing that.
Choose to be more physically healthy!
We were created for His glory and to serve him. Everyone one of us is part of the body of Christ and we all serve different purposes, according to what He wants us to do. Choose today to be physically healthy, to make good decisions for your body when it is possible to do so. Looking after our physical health will create a strong and healthy body and mind and will help each one of us to serve God better, which should be our goal.