Does it matter what I eat?

Myself posted by Erin Davis on 03/09/10; 20 comments

girl eating a giant hamburgerTwo chocolate chip cookies
A handful of chips
Half of a hot dog
Part of a chicken salad sandwich

I am ashamed to say that the list above includes everything I've had to eat today. I've been busy, as always, and finding the time to eat right has been lower than usual on my list of priorities.

As I sat down to spend some time with the Lord through Bible study and prayer this afternoon, my food choices suddenly caught up with me. My brain felt foggy. My tummy was rumbling. I just couldn't concentrate on hearing God's truth. And that got me thinking about the connection between the way I treat my body and my ability to let God work in my heart.

Last week we looked at the link between sleep and our spiritual health by examining Elijah's story in 1 Kings 19:1–13. If you missed that post, here's the short version. Elijah was at the end of his rope. Only after he took a nap did he find the clarity and strength to seek out the presence of God.

But there's more to that story. Elijah wasn't just strengthened by sleep. Food played a huge role in his restoration.

He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:4–8).

When Elijah was in the pit of despair, the angel didn't command him to pray. He didn't send Elijah to church. He told him to do something much more practical—eat! (The angel even provided the warm bread—yum!)

Most of the young women I know have a strained relationship with food. Many of them are so busy running from school to athletic practice to church activities to family time to being with friends that they're lucky to grab fast food in between point A and point B. Others have a far more dangerous approach to food and either avoid it all together or use it as a means to comfort. And then they wonder why they don't have the energy to build a relationship with Christ.

God designed our bodies to need nourishment. It should come as no surprise when ignoring that design impacts our spiritual walks with Him.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul gives a description of our bodies that bears repeating here.

Do you not know that your body is a temple 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 body (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

Your body is a temple. Neglecting it comes at a cost. I'm not talking about diets here. This isn't a post about food pyramids or calories or carbs. I'm simply pointing out that God designed each of our bodies to be fueled by food. When we ignore that design, our natural rhythms are upset. The impact often goes beyond our physical well-being to impacting our emotional and spiritual health.

If you're feeling ragged these days, you might consider heeding the angel's advice to Elijah.

"Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you" (1 Kings 19:7).

Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

    Steph
    Re:
    on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 7:16 am
    I totally, completely agree. What a great point. I know a lot of girls who are strained in their relationship with food too, and it's hurting them! Little do they know what they eat can actually affect their times with God.

    Good post. God created the physical and the spiritual realms - He created us to eat! And drink! There's nothing wrong with that.

    I'm gonna go eat ;)
    lily
    Re:
    on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 10:06 am
    wow! i'd never thought of it that way!
    Shelby
    good point
    on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 11:23 am
    eating right is never high on by "to do list",sometime i eat for comfort,sometimes when im hungry. i dont get alot of exersize.so i realy should start eating better.
    Shelby
    Lydia D.
    Re:
    on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 2:39 pm
    Yeah I defintily struggle with this area. I take dance and have three classes a week. On the way home I pass McDonald's and a lot of the time I stop to get something. I can't eat before class because that could affect my performance, I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?
    evelyn
    hmmmm
    on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 6:18 pm
    that really spoke to me. When i get seconds after dinner, i sometimes forget I'm going to work out, then i get really bad cramps and i just can't go on unless they go away!!

    Eating to much can also take it's toll on me.
    Bailey
    so true! :)
    on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 9:01 pm
    That's so tue, and I totally agree with you Shelby. I do eat healthy a lot of the time, though. Although when i do have junk food, it's not just a little bit, it's a LOT! I really should start taking better care of myself for God.
    purifying the world one at a time<3
    dont think i have this problem...
    on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 10:19 am
    eating healthy is very good to do especially because our body is a temple of god! but i think I've got this subject covered because my mom is an all organic health food everything freak! ok well not freak but u no wut i mean... it gets hard sometimes thought because all of this other "junk food" tastes soooo much better!!!
    Jesus is my KING!
    reply to lydia
    on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 11:02 am
    hey lydia- i completely understand how you feel! I am constantly running from practice to church to home to piano or wherever....

    but as far as stopping to grab a bite after dance etc., if Mcdonalds is your only option, then they actually have some really yummy grilled chicken sandwiches that arent that bad! also, their fries have the lowest salt content etc. for all of the fast food chain resturants so as long as you don't go overboard ( which by the way is such a temptation for me to do!) they aren't too terrible... does any of this help?
    hanna
    Re:
    on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 9:41 pm
    okay im very skinny, not like anorexic or anything but im just naturally skinny-genes and all that stuff. well lately i've been super busy and i find that i've been eating stuff that isn't healthy, and i've been eating a lot of it. im not worried about gaining weight or aything, but i am worried that, as you said about your body being temple, that i'm not treating mine as such... any ideas?
    jenna
    Re:
    on Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 5:22 am
    i agree with this too, but have you ever looked at the seventh day adventist?! They dont eat pork, theres some points in the bible that hunch me that way. what do you think?
    allison
    Just a few tips
    on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 1:32 am
    For all of you on the run...I've had quite a bit of experience in this area. Drink at least 10-8oz glasses of water a day (about 5 water bottles). Always have bananas and apple slices on hand they are a great pick me up and are healthy..sweet too! Also, Lydia try eating a handful of nuts (almonds, cashews, etc.) before dance class. This will give you just the right energy without hindering your performance. Another quick snack is Peanut Butter...just eat a couple spoonfuls and drink 16oz water or milk. One last tip: Protein Shakes...you can buy protein powder in chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry, then mix with water or milk..they are yummy. I hardly ever want chocolate when I am drinking them regularly b/c they curb my sweet cravings. They are awesome for a quick breakfast, snack and are actually recommended before a work-out or athletic performance! Try these healthy tips and I know you will have the energy to live for the Lord ;)
    girl lovin' the Lord 4 ever
    Fasting
    on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 7:14 pm
    Hey Erin, I have a question for you, and this may not be the right page to post it on, but here goes. What do you think about fasting? I am 13 and am feeling led by God to fast and pray for 18 days. I'm going to do a partial fast, like Daniel's. I am fasting and praying for the healing of my mom. She has TMJ and has been suffering from jaw pain severe dizziness, and blurry vision. At what age should you fast? And what food should you eat on a partial fast? You know, I was thinking that for one of your next blogs, the topic could be on fasting. Just a suggestion.
    Ninetta
    wow
    on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 8:50 pm
    You know I really never really thought of it that way at all. God made me, Who cares what I eat and when I eat it.
    luvGodluvhorses
    help!
    on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 12:37 pm
    So,
    I used to have a eating disorder but God has healed me. however if I try to eat healthy foods my mom says that I'm going to my "old patterns" again. It really annoys me and I don't know how I'm supposed to eat. I wan't to obey my mom but I don't want to trash my body. Any tips?
    Marissa
    Re: luvgodluvhorses
    on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:45 pm
    Hey girl! I used to have an eating disorder!!!! I just wanted you to know that it's right to obey your mom but I suggest rationally talking to her about the situation and explain that you are ONLY just eating healthier. Eat enough calories each day and don't deprive yourself. Also, pray about it and just do what God wants you too. I hope this helps!
    Sister in Christ,
    Marissa
    vinda
    Re:
    on Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 12:25 am
    thank you for this article, Erin :)
    Judy Zimpfer
    eating disorders
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 11:12 am
    I am a high school teacher, but first and foremost my ministry is reaching youth for Christ. I have a young girl who has confided in me that she has an eating disorder; she trusts me and knows that I love the Lord. I need help as to how to best help her. Please keep her in your prayers.
    Sara
    :)
    on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 5:47 pm
    I used to eat a lot of junk food but now my wonderful mother has started something cool. For the past two or so years she has been getting grain and gringing it herself. I can eat one small muffin for breakfast and not be hungry until 1:00 or so.
    But I have a friend who came to my house for a sleepover. She ate one whole bag of Doritos, half a pan of brownies, and five cups of milk. And she eats like this a lot but then she starves herself. One day she told me all she ate was a cucumber and a glass of apple juice. I really worry about her. And now she only drinks liquids on some days.
    I try to tell her she needs to eat but not to much. But she just goes on doing what she does. And the sad thing is her parents support this. I really need some advice. Please keep her in your prayers too.
    Marissa
    Re: Sara
    on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 9:58 pm
    Ok girl, I'm praying!! Why don't you let your friend read my little story...

    One day, this girl was born and she had a rough life at home and long part of the story short, her mom and dad divorced and what she saw gives her nightmares to this day. Her mom told her that her dad didn't love her so she thought guys were the answer to her love problem. But she thought she was too fat and got depressed. So she starved and when she didn't starve she ate and ate and purged. She was in sixth grade by the way and went from being healthy at 120 to scary small at 101. When she wanted to get under 100, she realized that this was going to affect her life forever. Her friends, parents - nobody noticed. She went from eating a lot of food in the beginning to close to nothing and ate when she "had to". But she accepted Christ and hasn't starved or purged since.

    Isn't that a great way that Christ works in our lievs?? And if you wanna know... That girl is me... I'm not bragging about me and my willpower--- nope it's Jesus'!! Tell your friend that (if she's a Christian) she's dishonoring Christs body. If she's a nonchristian, tell her about Jesus. Either way, she's hurting even if she denies it... I'm praying for you and your friend.

    Sister in Christ,
    Marissa
    Sara
    Re:Marissa
    on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 8:16 pm
    Thanks so much girl. I will defenetly take you advice. And she is a christian so she might understand better.

    Love,
    Sara

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