The Temple Of God

After 10+ years of dealing with weight issues and poor body image I have come to the realization that my struggle has been much deeper then the surface. It is difficult sometimes to get a hold on yourself when every other image you see is of a thin or inshape person. There is such a emphasis on beauty and happiness that we often strive to achieve weight loss for superficial reasons. We think that if we are not thin and beautiful then we can never achieve love, our dreams or even happiness. We live unhappy within this shell that we dispise so much we can't even bare to look at ourselves in clothes let alone naked. Come on let's keep it real. I know I have avoided many mirrors in my days. I have also told myself how ugly and disgusted I am with myself. I have literally cried and screamed with disappointment as I stood on the scale feeling so defeated. One day I wake up and feel on top of the world and the next I can't fit in my jeans and want to stay home in sweats all day. I literally became a hermet and depressed because I was so focused on my body image and had such a distorted perception about myself that I didn't want anyone else to look at me. Even though people would tell me I was pretty my mind couldn't grasp that concept. I couldn't embrace the compliment because I myself couldn't accept myself and the way I looked.

I do know that my childhood and past experiences had alot to do with the way I felt about myself but I wanted to move passed that. How could I finally get over this hump and conquer once and for all this battle of my weight and poor body image? How could I erase years of verbal and physical abuse that made me feel ugly and worthless? How could I stop trying to eat myself happy? I had tried so many weight loss pills and weight loss programs that did nothing but make me sick. I had already achieved a 50 pound weight loss but still needed to reach my personal goal. I also needed to learn how to accept myself and be happy with myself no matter what I thought I looked like. It was not just about losing weight it was also about changing my perception about myself. I wasn't that ugly little fat girl I grew up thinking I was. I needed to awaken to who I really was created to be in God. I needed to see myself as God saw me.

After years of "okay I will start monday" and excuse after excuse of why I couldn't be consistant, I finally got it. I finally received the words from God that set me free. I had to realize that it was okay for me to want to look beautiful and strong and feel healthy. I was not vain or selfish for wanting to look and feel a certain way. Maybe the years of verbal abuse had beat me down but I was ready to stand up and be noticed. I was ready to be all that God created me to be. I was ready to walk with God in the fullness. I AM beautiful because God created me....I AM fearfully and wonderfully made. I couldn't keep hiding within this shell of emotions. I had to take control of my emotions and start to respect my body for what it was. God created me....my body...every inch of my being to be a reflection of Him. My obedience and self control are a manifestation of His power. God said "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" according to 1 Corinthians 3:16. My God!... how could I continue to abuse my body and not accept myself? How could I say I love God but not love myself enough to take care of myself? How could I do this when God Himself created me to be a vessel of glory. A vessel that contains His spirit. It is my job to be diligent about keeping my body sacred inside and out.


We must present ourselves a living sacrifice unto God according to Romans 12:1. It is our reasonable worship to lay down our emotions and put down that fork. We must become edcuated on proper nutrition and exercise so that we can maintain this TEMPLE. We must prove ourselves to be holy and acceptable. We must prove ourselves to be sacred and wellpleasing unto God. This is our reasonabe service unto God. It is not just about taking care of our spiritual being but we must do the same with our natural bodies. How can we glorify God if we are tired and stricken with disease. I know that He can show His glory in a body stricken with cancer but what I am trying to make clear is that it is my service or worship unto God to take care of this temple He has created to contain His spirit. I can not be negligent and allow my flesh and my emotions to destroy what God has marvelously designed.


I must prepare this body for God. I must be diligent in the upkeep of His temple. I must purify it and consecrate it so that it is wellpleasing unto Him. God goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 3:17 "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are". We must be careful to not waste, corrupt or spoil God's temple. Many diseases and afflictions of the body are attributed to our own doings. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7). If I am defiling my body and eating unhealthy food, not exercising and getting proper sleep I will reap the consequences of that in my body. Just like we use prayer, worship and meditation to upkeep our spiritual beings. We must also cleanse and purify our natural temples that they may be sacred and wellpleasing unto God so that He can fulfill His purpose through you. All that I have been called and created to achieve for God is wrapped up in this package (His temple...my body) it is my job to keep it strong and healthy for Him. Amen.


My Prayer: Lord teach me how to take care of this body that you have created. I desire to be used for your glory. Show me how to be diligent in the upkeep of your temple so that I can be a manifestation of your power. I thank your for this body that you have created in your image and likeness for you said that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Cleanse my heart and my mind so that I can see myself through your eyes. I am your creation and all that you create is marvelous. I glorify you, In Jesus Name. Amen.