A Biblical Vision of Caring for the Body

The Body’s Role in Helping Us Enjoy God: 1 Timothy 4:1-9

Everything made by God is good (v.4)

• Anything other than God is not ultimate, but neither are physical things created by God somehow less than good.

There can be God-centered or self-centered reasons to pursue anything that involves the human body 

• “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit." (Prov. 16:2)

All that God made is meant to increase our enjoyment in Him (v. 3)

• “Ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and the sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.” (Romans 1:20)

Our bodies and souls operate mutually on a two-way street (v. 3-4)

• "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22)

A Well-Cared For Body Helps Us Serve God and Others

Exercise 

• Prompts thanksgiving and love to God
• Allows for stress and anxiety to be worked out through your body. 
• Helps to balance the brain’s chemicals/neurotransmitters.
• Creates all-around godly character
• Enables us to better serve those around us 
• “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” (Eph. 2:10)
• Doable steps: Start somewhere, even if just walking. It is better to be consistent than to overdo it. Leverage exercise to enjoy God.

Diet and Nutrition

• What we eat is a reminder that we have choices and they matter.
• Healthy nutrients help us to love and serve those around us. 

Nutrition influences the brain in the following ways:

• Affects brain energy and mental clarity

• Influences mood and emotional regulation
• Impacts inflammation levels in the brain and body
• Supports or disrupts communication between brain cells

• You want foods that provide protein, healthy fat, and vitamins (e.g., meat, fish, eggs, fruits and veggies, etc.). 
• Food serves as an analogy for the countless ways that God provides. 
• Food provides many metaphors to help us know and love God more fully. 
• Jesus is the “bread of life.” We need him more than literal food.

• “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Ps. 34:8)
• What we put into our bodies will eventually show itself. We reap what we sow. A little “leaven” impacts the entire batch.
• Doable steps: Eat healthy foods and minimize processed and sugary foods. Consider your motivations for wanting to eat differently. Eat the food God gives you with joy and thanksgiving.

Sleep 

• Reminds us of our finiteness. 
• Offers a maintained rhythm to life. 
• Our body and brain recharge and repair themselves when we sleep
• We serve others better when we are rested.
• Doable steps: Maintain consistent sleep and wake times each day. Get morning sunlight exposure soon after waking. Put away bright lights or screens closer to bedtime. 

Table Talk

• How does it make you think and feel to know that our bodies are intended to increase our delight in God and our ability to love other people? 
• What is one of the areas discussed – exercise, nutrition, or sleep – that you would like to do differently? What are the reasons for wanting to make changes in this area?