Take that Number and Shove It

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” – 1 Cor 6:19-20

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Cor 10:31

In church, on the radio, in books, we hear week after week about so many topics but we don’t hear too much on how being healthy is biblical. But it is. I proved it above. God has given us our bodies to take care of, to nourish, to value, to appreciate. But do we do it? How many of us overindulge in sweets? Under nourish our bodies? Cut out entire food groups to lose weight? Worship the number on a scale or on a tape measure? Talk more about how we look than how we ARE?

I’m fed up. Really, I am. I’m fed up with myself and every other person who joins me in this battle. God gave me this body for a reason. He gave me it to take care of, not to beat up so that I look the way I THINK I should look. Do you really think God created us all with individual minds, gifts, spirits and passions but meant for us to all look the same? Do you think it’s possible that MAYBE, just maybe, all women aren’t supposed to be a size 2 and all men aren’t supposed to wear a size 32 jeans.

I’m tired of looking at a number on a stupid piece of technology and judging myself on it. Crap, I gained 3 lbs this weekend…guess I should go on a diet. YES! I lost 2 lbs! What an achievement! Really? Is that how God sees it? I really don’t think so. So why can’t I?? It’s such a battle that controls many of us.

I’m all for eating healthy, exercising and taking care of our bodies. That’s definitely what God wants us to do. But the rest of it, I’m just not convinced is the way we’re supposed to be living. We need friends, not a scale, to hold us accountable and motivate us to reach our goals. We need God to guide us on whether or not to eat dessert, not the guilt we feel in the pit of our stomach. We need sunshine and joy to motivate us to exercise, not some overly processed magazine image or fitness-obsessed personal trainer.

It’s a battle. It’s a struggle. But it’s something we NEED to keep in perspective in order to be who we’re TRULY supposed to be. I know I know, says the “tiny” girl. But seriously, don’t judge a book by it’s cover nor a person by their appearance. You have no idea what people struggle with. Don’t judge, reach out and help one another.