Healthy Living
HEALTHY LIVING
At the beginning of the year many spend some time thinking about their health. In my experience, churches rarely talk about our physical bodies. In contrast, the Bible does talk about the body. Starting in the creation account the human body along with the rest of creation receives God’s stamp of approval “it is good” (Genesis 1:31). In the psalms King David writes, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful . . . (Psalms 139:13-14). I don’t know about you but as a middle-aged man who is seriously overweight and struggles with daily, chronic back pain from an injury a few years ago my body does not feel wonderful. And yet when I look at the design of the human body I am in awe.
In the New Testament the apostle Paul says more about the Christian’s body. He states, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 16:19-20). Despite many of us neglecting our bodies, Christians are called to treat them well, to steward them as precious gifts from God. How can we do this? I view health as a three-legged stool.
First, honor God with the food we eat. Most experts agree the standard American diet, lots of fast food, processed food and sugar is horrible for us. In his book The Daniel Plan, author Rick Warren says that in “In 1800, the average person consumed 5 pounds of sugar per year, now we average 152 pounds a year.” (107), Unfortunately, I love that unhealthy food and you probably do too. God’s original diet for us is “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be your food” (Genesis 1:29). All the research I have read says that least a mostly plant diet is what is best for us. Now as a dedicated carnivore myself I will not be giving up meat totally but focusing more on vegetables and making meat a treat rather than a staple at every meal. That simple change could make a real difference. None of us would put unleaded gasoline in our diesel truck and think it would be beneficial. Let’s put good natural food into our bodies.
Second, honor God with the exercise we choose. The apostle Paul says that “physical training is of some value” (1 Timothy 4:8). When I asked a medical doctor about the keys to health the first statement out of her mouth was “people need to exercise more.” Find something you like to do; cross-country skiing, walking, running or swimming and start moving.
Third, honor God with rest. Moses tells us in Exodus 20:8, 9a “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work . . .” Find a way to unplug and actually get some rest one day a week. Just as our cell phones need to be recharged regularly we need to recharge as well. Take advantage of this God given pause button every week. We also need to prioritize our sleep at night. Sleep is like an overnight cleaning crew for our brains and bodies. Regular, restorative rest is a powerful part of a healthy lifestyle. As I begin the new year I am hoping to do better in the area of my health; my hope isthat your 2026 is your healthiest year yet.
Pastor Derek Dickinson
At the beginning of the year many spend some time thinking about their health. In my experience, churches rarely talk about our physical bodies. In contrast, the Bible does talk about the body. Starting in the creation account the human body along with the rest of creation receives God’s stamp of approval “it is good” (Genesis 1:31). In the psalms King David writes, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful . . . (Psalms 139:13-14). I don’t know about you but as a middle-aged man who is seriously overweight and struggles with daily, chronic back pain from an injury a few years ago my body does not feel wonderful. And yet when I look at the design of the human body I am in awe.
In the New Testament the apostle Paul says more about the Christian’s body. He states, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 16:19-20). Despite many of us neglecting our bodies, Christians are called to treat them well, to steward them as precious gifts from God. How can we do this? I view health as a three-legged stool.
First, honor God with the food we eat. Most experts agree the standard American diet, lots of fast food, processed food and sugar is horrible for us. In his book The Daniel Plan, author Rick Warren says that in “In 1800, the average person consumed 5 pounds of sugar per year, now we average 152 pounds a year.” (107), Unfortunately, I love that unhealthy food and you probably do too. God’s original diet for us is “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be your food” (Genesis 1:29). All the research I have read says that least a mostly plant diet is what is best for us. Now as a dedicated carnivore myself I will not be giving up meat totally but focusing more on vegetables and making meat a treat rather than a staple at every meal. That simple change could make a real difference. None of us would put unleaded gasoline in our diesel truck and think it would be beneficial. Let’s put good natural food into our bodies.
Second, honor God with the exercise we choose. The apostle Paul says that “physical training is of some value” (1 Timothy 4:8). When I asked a medical doctor about the keys to health the first statement out of her mouth was “people need to exercise more.” Find something you like to do; cross-country skiing, walking, running or swimming and start moving.
Third, honor God with rest. Moses tells us in Exodus 20:8, 9a “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work . . .” Find a way to unplug and actually get some rest one day a week. Just as our cell phones need to be recharged regularly we need to recharge as well. Take advantage of this God given pause button every week. We also need to prioritize our sleep at night. Sleep is like an overnight cleaning crew for our brains and bodies. Regular, restorative rest is a powerful part of a healthy lifestyle. As I begin the new year I am hoping to do better in the area of my health; my hope isthat your 2026 is your healthiest year yet.
Pastor Derek Dickinson
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