Take care of your temple

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth," 3 John 1:2.  In a nutshell, God wants us well, He gets no glory in us being broke and He longs to have a relationship with us as we spiritually mature in the things of Him.

All of God’s promises are conditional, which means participation on our part is required in order to receive the promise.  Just as receiving a paycheck is equated to working a job, so is good health equated to what we eat, exercising, drinking plenty of water and taking vitamin supplements.  

I’ve seen so many people in the body of Christ struggle with being overweight and/or lifestyle diseases, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.  The saying, “You are what you eat” rings true.  No one can eat what he or she wants, when they want, in the portions they want, without it having an adverse effect on their body over a period of time.  No one.  Being sick or carrying around excess body fat is not the abundant life that Jesus died for us to have.

What does this have to do with being married to a musician?  I’m glad you asked! 

Musicians exert themselves quite a bit when they are ministering.  After they have been playing for hours at a time, their physical bodies are drained.    It only compounds the issue when they are unhealthy or out of shape. 

Marvin and I have learned over the years there are changes you will be forced to make as you age.  He and I just can’t eat the same as we once did in our twenties.  Our bodies have changed and we had to make the necessary adjustments if we are going to prosper and be in health.

You hear a lot of television ministries speaking on this subject and I believe, they too have discovered that significant adjustments are needed as you age and how God wants us well.

God has a plan and purpose for my life and I can’t travel and do what he has called me to do with a sick and broken down temple.   

If you are healthy, guard it with you life.  Yes, God is a healer, and He wants us well.  Yes, He is a miracle worker and is able to heal and restore you.  However, it is better to live on the offense by taking care of our temples, than on the defense by having to fight for our health because of willful neglect.

Of course this isn’t easy.  I never said that. There is temptation on every hand at every turn.  It takes a conscience effort to eat right, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, it can be done.  Your body is His temple.

Start small.  Lean into it.  Ask God to change your appetite to crave the things that are beneficial to your body. Encourage your hubby about the benefits of healthy eat, if he isn’t already doing so.  He’ll be amazed at how much energy he’ll have after ministering and giving so much of himself.  His body will thank him as he walks in the promise to be in health…even as his soul prospers.