Why My Health is Important

If you haven’t already read my health journey, read about it here.

After reading about how I’ve been focusing more on my health the past couple months, some of you may be wondering, “What does that have to do with serving God and loving others? This is a blog about living out our faith in a practical way, right?”

It may seem kind of odd that I would be pressing this issue, but health actually has a lot to do with loving God and loving others. I’ve stated in my previous blogs (“Back to Basics: What God is Teaching Me About Stewardship” and “It’s Not Selfish: Why Personal Stewardship is One of the Most Loving Things You Can Do For Others“) how important stewardship is. Our bodies were our first gift that God gave us.

First Corinthians 6:19-20 explains:

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; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Psalm 139:13-14b states:

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.

So, God made us and Christ redeemed us. Now are bodies are not our own; they are temples with which to honor God. We honor God with our bodies by keeping ourselves from defilement (sin), but we also care for our bodies out of gratitude. My body is a wonderful gift! My care and stewardship of my body shows God how much I love and appreciate the gift He’s given me.

My body is also a tool. This tool can either work for or against me, depending on how it’s cared for and invested into. If I want to live a long life so I can bless others, I better take care of my health. My goal is to live to be 100 years old. I tell my kids constantly why I eat right and exercise. It’s so I can be there for them and their kids and their grandkids. I desire to invest into the future generations.

I am also concerned with the day to day requirements of parenting and just living life. Recently our family went on a hike and I noticed such a huge difference in my endurance since I began working out. And when my kids get tired, I can carry them on my back without any trouble. I love that! I love seeing what my body is capable of and how I can bless my kids with my strength.

That’s why I care. That’s why health is important.