Most of us have thought something demeaning about our body.  We look at our face that has a nose that is too big, skin tone that we want a little darker, a belly that we can’t seem to get rid of, hips that just won’t quit!  What I hate about my body is my perspective.  Most guys look in the mirror just like the girls do.  Our hair is falling out, our pecks aren’t manly enough and the dude on the cover of the men’s health magazine, well, he is too fabulous for me.  I have struggled with hating certain attributes about my body, but there are certain things I have to accept about me.  There are some things I can change and some things I just have to live with.

Will power is exhausting, His power is exhilarating! 

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? ”   1 Corinthians 6:19

Trying harder to reach a goal with our physical health is EXHAUSTING.  I’m not saying be a “quitter”, but the motivation matters.  Whenever I choose to set a goal now, whether it is running a marathon or strengthening my upper body (I weigh a buck forty-five). I first choose to do it by HIS POWER.  I run the marathon first to GLORIFY GOD with my body, after all, it’s HIS exclusively.  But I told you before, what I hate is my perspective so here is how to go about changing your view…

Four Ways To Change Perspective About Your Body –

#1 Release The Guilt –  Ok, so you are overweight, there I said it.  So what?  Why are you letting the world’s standards of beauty and desire define you.  What if you stopped beating yourself up and held your hands up to the heavens and made your physical health a spiritual issue.  Your body matters to God.  He cares what you eat and he has forgiven, empowered, strengthened and loves you.  Fasting is a great way to release the guilt.  Struggling with guilt?  Skip ONE meal and take the time you would ordinarily eat and pray to God for the whole time.  Proclaim that your body is His body.  Let Him give you the grace you need.  Receive from HIM.

#2 Stop Comparing –  This is difficult because the culture has programmed us to compare everything we are to others.  We have been corrupted!  Our faces, stomachs, legs, how big this is or small that is, it’s destructive.  Whenever you proclaim dissatisfaction with your genetic make up, you demean God.  Here is a truth, there will always be somebody better, faster, and stronger.  Comparison will kill your motivation.  Be content with who God created you to be.  That face is a one of a kind.  If they don’t like it so what? Stop letting others own you!

#3 Start Reading –   You need to concentrate on what God says about you!  Yes read the BIBLE!  Many issues of physical health have roots in other spiritual things like depression, anger, abuse, and low self esteem.  You may just be listening to the wrong voices.  You may need to seek professional counseling, but once you wrap your heart around who God says you are, your identity becomes clear and you have a starting point.  It is the Gospel of Jesus that should motivate and guide us, not the magazine cover girl!  He created you and has redeemed you.  Here is a start… Colossians 1:2-3 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  YOUR LIFE IS IN GOD!  GOOD NEWS!

#4 Take Responsibility – The first three are easier but the last one is hard.  It’s time for us to stop blaming everyone else for our circumstances, including those parts of our physical health we can control.  The three ways you can become more healthy that almost everyone accepts are:  Eat more things that are green, Exercise on a plan, and set goals that are attainable.  This means we need to be focused and disciplined.  Ask God what he wants for your body.  Maybe He will tell you to lose those 30 pounds so you have energy to bounce those grandkids around another 5 years?  Whatever it is, stop blaming and start changing. 

My final thought is this, find someone to help!  You are always better with a coach!  This Sunday we will have time to pray for those of you who need specific physical healing.  I can’t wait.

Now go work that body…

Josh

Join us at 217church for the final week of our series Live Differently.

May 18 – Physical Health

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.  Celebrate mother’s day with us Sunday May 11.