My Body – God’s Temple

At times of stress I grind my teeth. Sometimes it is bad enough to awaken my husband. When I am not getting enough rest and I am not taking care of myself, I ache all over. I have a spot in my shoulder that acts up and feels like a football player tackled me.

The story of Peter’s mother-in-law is short and is told in just a few verses in Matthew (8:14-15) and Luke (4:37-40). This story really focuses on our health and our relationship with God.

News of Jesus is spreading and the crowds are upon him, but he takes the time to go and heal this one woman.  The Matthew passage adds that he touched her hand and made her well.  What in your life needs the healing touch of Jesus?  What have you worked into a fever today that Jesus wants to take from you?

We aren’t told any of the details behind Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever, but let’s think about the things that make us ill today.   We all know that diets high in fat and sodium lead to heart related illnesses, and we all know that no exercise makes us sluggish and weak.  We also know that our bodies need sleep and that stress is bad for us.  So why do we engage in all these activities?  We think, “Well, one doughnut won’t hurt” – “I’m too tired to exercise today” – ” I have too much to do to sleep right now;” and we begin to spiral into a cycle of bad habits.  Before long our Temple of God is a rundown shell of the building it used to be.

God challenges us in Romans 12:1-2 to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” Are you taking care of God’s Temple (your body)?  Is God putting His finger on some habit that is destroying your health?  Is there some change God is asking you to make in your lifestyle to be more effective for Him?  Examine your relationship with God and your relationship with your body. Then ask God to show you what changes you need to make for Him.