Take Care of Your Body

"Currently just as many people die world wide from eating too much as those that die from being malnourished."  -Rick Warren

Rick Warren notes that issues that are caused by eating too much such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease etc. are now killing about a billion people every year, which is the same number that die from not getting enough food.  This is the first time in history where this has happened. 

Wouldn't it be nice if those who ate too much supported a few starving children instead of consuming the excess food they don't need that just leads to health problems?  Yes. :)

Warren said how the Bible really has a lot to say in regards to our health and us taking care of our bodies.  Why?  Because it is with our bodies that we are able to serve God.  If we are limited due to how we have taken care of our bodies then that is sad, and we can't do as much for God. 

Warren said we can either reject our bodies, neglect them, perfect them or protect them. 

A lot of people reject their bodies because they compare them to Hollywood stars and feel less than them.  This then causes them to neglect their bodies, because they think, ,"Why even try to take care of my body when it will never be perfect?" 

Others try to perfect their bodies.  They go to the other extreme and work out tons and do everything they can to have the perfect body.  This is not good either because it can lead to pride.  This can lead to narcissism and the worship and idolization of one's own body. 

The best thing we can do is the middle ground, balance.  We need to protect our bodies.  Don't neglect it.  Don't over eat or eat tons of things that aren't good for your body.  But don't worship the body either.  Simply protect it.  Get plenty of sleep.  Eat healthy food.  Try to walk a bit every day and don't just sit all day. 

Warren made a great point, that God cares about your body because he made it, Jesus died for it and the Holy Spirit lives in it.  Therefore, we should do the best we can to care for our bodies and our health.  Amen.  God bless!