We are what we Eat

How many times have you heard this? Seems like, no matter where I go, or who I talk to…eventually people will talk about health…exercise….food, etc.

I remember growing up, my dad was a serious health fanatic. We would wake up in the morning, he would make sure we had at least a snack, drank some tea (usually some sort of herbal healthy tea or green tea) and all our vitamins. And when I say vitamins I mean a handful of pills! He would give us a garlic pill, Vitamin C pill, Fish oil, and everything else out there in pill form. I remember I would try and sneak out without my dad seeing me…Because man, did I hate swallowing all those pills, some of them were like the size of horse tranquilizer pills. Every time you would swallow them, you would practically choke…oh the good old days.

I always use to think my dad was crazy when it came to health. I never could figure out why he was so obsessed with these pills. However, as I got older I realized how important it is to have a balanced immune system. I have struggled with stomach issues on and off for the last few years. The key to relieve the symptoms was not medication but a balanced diet and nutrition. So almost 20 years later I have finally realized that my dad wasn’t so crazy, he was right, he knew the ingredients to a healthy life.

My dad has always searched for new things that boost your health. He has always been infatuated with finding new health remedies. He would always say; “its for your prophylactic” (to prevent disease). I would be like; “dad, I feel good, your pills will eventually kill me…most likely from choking on them,  they are so huge…”

So why is health such an important part of life? We live in a world where the most expensive thing to purchase, is our health. Doctors are compensated greatly for restoring or analyzing your health. And we pay ridiculous amounts of money for treatment and medication.

Well, God also uses health as a means of bringing people to him. We see in the day of Jesus, thousands of people believed by witnessing these miracles of healing. Many people were healed from life time sicknesses through Gods power.

Why are so many people obsessed with being healthy? What happens to you when you eat healthy and exercise?

Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. (1 Timothy 4:8). 

Most people know that when you have a good diet and exercise regularly not only will you look better, you will feel better. This is why gluttony is a sin, because when we overeat we put our body in danger of physical illness.

But why are people so obsessed with health? Is it because they will feel better…or is because they will get more attention? Sadly, most people focus on health because of the results. They seek results, which in response will get them attention. Living a healthy lifestyle these days is considered to be a fad, a popularity contest. There was a time were people didn’t brag about their health because everyone ate healthy. Everyone was equally in shape. Nowadays, there is so much bad food around people actually love to brag about being healthy…”Check me out, I’m eating all organic…check me out, I became a vegan…check me out, I’m on a diet.”

I wish people were as passionate about Jesus as they are about their health! I wish people rebuked sin when they seen it instead of spending 2 hours arguing which meat is worse for you, which food has more preservatives…Food is just a temporary fix, food can’t give us eternal life.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst (John 6:35). 

The sad truth: an amazing body will give you instant gratification, it will give you an ego boost, it will attract attention. All of which are selfish incentives. I know many people will argue and say, not all motives are selfish. How many people that get in shape don’t actually publicly announce it?…We are a selfish breed, constantly searching anything that will tickle our pride. I think the main reason God gave everyone flaws and imperfections is because he knew how we would act, he knew how we would boast about our gifts of life. Not one person on this earth is perfect, and the more gifts they have the more difficult it becomes to stay humble.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (Samuel 16:7). 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)

The Bible emphasizes how important it is not to be wrapped up with the small shallow things of this world. We are to do everything in moderation and never brag about anything but the relationship we have with Christ.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to exercise and eating healthy. But I do it in moderation. I think if people are unhealthy and it is causing health problems they should strive to improve their health. But if their main focus is to gain attention, to pursue selfish desires, this becomes idolatry and is a sin, no different than the sin of gluttony.

To take another spin on this topic, I wanna remind people that just like the body; if you eat burgers and pizza you will see the reflection on the exterior. If you ingest yourself with ungodly things you will reflect ungodly behavior.

We think that listening to rap music, and watching horror movies aren’t that bad for us. We have to remember that our lifestyle will always reflect what sort of fuel we put in. Some cars call for premium fuel, and often times consumers cheap out and fuel the car with basic unleaded fuel. This will not instantly ruin the vehicle, however, if we continued to fill up the car with the wrong fuel the car would start to have complications and eventually die.

Our Spirituality is no different. If we continue to fuel our lives with the wrong kind of fuel we will eventually kill our Spiritual state. Remember, we have to seek comfort in Jesus, not the comfort of our ego… or people’s compliments.

Stay healthy, but be humble……