Guarding Your Heart: The Biblical Call to Care for Your Body

We are having to make some big changes and become more aware of the importance of heart health, we are seeing how our daily habits impact not only our physical well-being but also our spiritual walk. Our hearts are central to life, both physically and spiritually. Physically, the heart pumps life-giving blood throughout our bodies, sustaining us each day. Spiritually, the heart represents the core of our emotions, thoughts, and connection with God. The Bible offers wisdom on how we should care for both, showing us that honoring our bodies is also a way of honoring God.

Honoring Our Bodies as Temples of the Holy Spirit

Scripture reminds us that our bodies are sacred vessels of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) declares:

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples 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 bodies."

When we take care of our bodies, we are acknowledging that they belong to God. Nourishing ourselves properly, engaging in physical activity, and resting when needed are all acts of worship and gratitude for the life He has given us.

Nourishing Your Body with a Balanced Diet

A healthy heart begins with proper nourishment. What we eat fuels our bodies and affects our overall well-being. The Bible provides guidance on maintaining a balanced diet. Genesis 9:3 (NIV) states:

"Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything."

Additionally, Ezekiel 4:9 (NIV) highlights the importance of variety in our diet:

"Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself."

A balanced diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, meats, and grains provides essential nutrients for a healthy heart. Planning meals in advance helps us make wise choices and avoid unhealthy, impulsive eating habits. Just as discipline is necessary in our spiritual walk, it is equally important in how we nourish our bodies.

Staying Active and Caring for Your Body

Physical activity is vital for a strong heart and overall health. The Bible acknowledges the value of physical training while emphasizing the importance of spiritual discipline. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) says:

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

While growing spiritually is our highest priority, we must also care for the physical bodies God has given us. Regular exercise strengthens our hearts, boosts energy, and equips us to serve God effectively. Setting time aside for movement—whether walking, stretching, or engaging in other activities—demonstrates good stewardship of the gift of health.

Managing Stress and Trusting in God

Chronic stress can negatively affect heart health, but God calls us to bring our worries to Him. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) encourages us:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Through prayer, reflection, and gratitude, we can reduce stress and experience the peace that only God can provide. When we prioritize time with Him, we release burdens that may otherwise weigh heavily on our hearts.

The Importance of Rest and Sabbath

Rest is essential for physical and spiritual renewal. Overworking and constant busyness can lead to exhaustion and health issues. God Himself set the example of rest when He established the Sabbath. Exodus 20:8-10 (NIV) commands:

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God."

Taking time to rest, disconnect, and focus on God helps restore our bodies and minds. Prioritizing rest is not laziness—it is obedience and an act of faith that God will sustain us.

Guarding Your Heart Spiritually

While taking care of our physical hearts is important, our greatest priority should be guarding our spiritual hearts. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) reminds us:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Jesus also emphasized the significance of the heart in Matthew 22:37 (NIV):

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

When we align our hearts with God, it naturally influences our daily choices, including how we care for our bodies. A heart fully surrendered to Him leads to a life of greater health, purpose, and fulfillment.

Caring for our hearts—both physically and spiritually—is an essential part of living a God-honoring life. By making intentional choices in our nutrition, movement, stress management, and rest, we glorify God with our bodies. This journey is more than just improving our health—it is an act of worship and a commitment to stewarding the life God has entrusted to us. We are trying to apply these principles to our lives and walk in the fullness of life He has designed for us.  We are challenging you to think about making the same changes we are this month!

 

A Night in the Emergency Room

 

As I sit in the emergency room, waiting for results for my uncle, I find myself reflecting on the biblical principles of discipline and self-control, not just in our spiritual lives but also in how we care for our physical bodies. His health is weighing on my heart, and I know that how we treat our bodies is a reflection of how we steward God’s gifts. The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Neglecting the care of our physical heart can have serious consequences, just as neglecting our spiritual heart leads to struggles and separation from God.

In our Christian walk, discipline and self-control are essential. Paul compares faith to that of an athlete, saying, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). This applies not only to our spiritual endurance but also to how we care for our health. Just as we guard our hearts against sin, we must also guard them against the physical consequences of neglect. Proverbs 25:28 warns, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Without discipline in caring for the body, we become vulnerable—not only to illness but to being unable to fully serve the Lord in the way He calls us to.

I know that this world is fallen, and illness is a part of the brokenness we face. While not every sickness is the result of personal choices, the Bible teaches that wisdom and discipline help us avoid unnecessary suffering. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we are to honor God with them. As I sit here, deeply concerned for my uncle, I am praying and so grateful that he sees the importance of maintaining both his physical and spiritual health. His attitude toward his well-being matters—not only for his own sake but for those who love him and for the work God still has for him to do.

Ultimately, God is sovereign over our health and our future. As we wait for these results, I place my trust in Him, knowing that His plan is perfect. Even in suffering, we are reminded that “for those who love God, all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). Whether you are experiencing a wake-up call for your health as we are responding to the changing condition of my uncle’s heart, I hope you will take your health more seriously and a deeper lesson in reliance on the Lord, I know God is at work. I pray for wisdom, strength, and the discipline to honor Him in all areas of life, so that both our bodies and our hearts remain strong for the purpose He has given us.

Broken Bones, Finding Strength Beyond the Pain

 

Life is full of unexpected events, no matter how much we try to avoid poor choices. The truth is, we will all eventually face difficult situations, such as illness or accidents, that can cause us great discomfort. But why do we experience these hardships? It all goes back to the Garden of Eden. God created Adam and Eve in perfect health, free from disease. But when they sinned, the entire natural order was disrupted. Sickness became a harsh reality, and death an inevitable part of life. In some form or another, we will all experience illness, injury, or even death in our lives.

At some point, we will all face the loss of our health, whether it comes on suddenly or gradually. The fear of illness often triggers a deep panic within us. A call from the doctor's office, a physician's concerned expression, or a sudden pain in our chest can be terrifying. Fear of disease can invade our hearts, and the emotional and physical toll it takes can feel overwhelming.

Disease, by definition, is any condition that causes pain, dysfunction, distress, or even death. Many diseases also have social and financial impacts. For example, conditions like cancer, heart disease, and dementia are common, and they can affect us in profound ways. In many cases, treatments for these diseases can be just as challenging as the diseases themselves. Sometimes, the process of seeking help can feel dehumanizing, as we lose our sense of dignity.

Yet, illness and injury are not new experiences. Even in biblical times, people faced sickness, disease, and accidents. However, the Bible shows us that prayer changes things. When King Hezekiah was seriously ill, he prayed to God, and God answered his prayer. Hezekiah’s life was extended by 15 years. Interestingly, God didn’t just heal Hezekiah by saying “be healed.” Instead, God used a specific remedy: He instructed Isaiah to have a lump of figs applied to Hezekiah’s boil (Isaiah 38:21). This shows that God can heal through both miraculous means and through natural remedies. There is no contradiction in using medicine, as God can heal in many ways.

When Hezekiah’s health was restored, he praised God. He acknowledged that his illness was allowed by God to strengthen his faith, and he vowed to continue praising God all the days of his life (Isaiah 38:17-20). This is a reminder that even in times of illness, we can learn to trust in God’s plan and purpose.

God may choose to heal us now, later, or even through the promise of a new body in heaven. During times of sickness or injury, we are reminded to focus on what is truly important in life. Our health may fail us, but our faith in God remains steadfast.

We can learn from Hezekiah's experience. Though he faced the fear of death, he realized that life was in God’s hands. He prayed, and God answered. When we face illness or challenges, we too should pray for healing, but we should always pray, “If it be Your will.” We trust that God knows what is best for us, and that, ultimately, all of us will be healed — either here on earth or in heaven.

In times of fear and sickness, we are called to control our minds, as 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” It’s important to stay spiritually and emotionally strong, even when our bodies are weak. Proverbs 18:14 reminds us that "the spirit of a man will sustain him in his sickness." Our attitude and mindset play a huge role in overcoming illness.

Another key to finding strength during illness is to count our blessings. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are told, "In everything give thanks." While we may not be thankful for the illness itself, we can still find reasons to be grateful for what we have left — our faith, our loved ones, or even small comforts.

Finally, consider the example of Hezekiah, who faced death but was given an extension of life. His illness, though frightening, was used by God to build his faith. And, as we face our own struggles, we can find comfort in the knowledge that God is with us through every challenge. Like Hezekiah, we too can praise God in all circumstances, trusting that He will guide us and give us strength to face whatever comes our way.

 

 

Isaiah 38 ESV

 

38 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.”^[c] 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, ³ and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ⁵ “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.^[d] 6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.

⁷ “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: ⁸ Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.^[e]

⁹ A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, after he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness:

¹⁰ I said, In the middle^[f] of my days
    I must depart;
I am consigned to the gates of Sheol
    for the rest of my years.
¹¹ I said, I shall not see the Lord,
    the Lord in the land of the living;
I shall look on man no more
    among the inhabitants of the world.
¹² My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me
    like a shepherd's tent;
like a weaver I have rolled up my life;
    he cuts me off from the loom;
from day to night you bring me to an end;
¹³     I calmed myself^[g] until morning;
like a lion he breaks all my bones;
    from day to night you bring me to an end.

¹⁴ Like a swallow or a crane I chirp;
    I moan like a dove.
My eyes are weary with looking upward.
    O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!
¹⁵ What shall I say? For he has spoken to me,
    and he himself has done it.
I walk slowly all my years
    because of the bitterness of my soul.

¹⁶ O Lord, by these things men live,
    and in all these is the life of my spirit.
    Oh restore me to health and make me live!
¹⁷ Behold, it was for my welfare
    that I had great bitterness;
but in love you have delivered my life
    from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins
    behind your back.
¹⁸ For Sheol does not thank you;
    death does not praise you;
those who go down to the pit do not hope
    for your faithfulness.
¹⁹ The living, the living, he thanks you,
    as I do this day;
the father makes known to the children
    your faithfulness.

²⁰ The Lord will save me,
    and we will play my music on stringed instruments
all the days of our lives,
    at the house of the Lord.

²¹ Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.”  ²² Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?”

ALL ABOARD THE CRAZY TRAIN

 

Marriage, at its core, is a journey of love and respect. But as life changes—whether through illness, retirement, or other major transitions—it brings challenges that can strain even the most communicative and stable relationships. As Bruce and I adjust to spending all day together, with him navigating the limitations of his health, we are learning that the normal dynamics of the marriage can feel disrupted. The frustration that arises from feeling unsupported, misunderstood, or disconnected can lead to what I call "the crazy train," where we both react out of our unmet needs. In these moments, love and respect are often missing, and the train begins to pick up speed and momentum.

When Bruce, feeling disrespected, reacts without love, and when I, feeling unloved, react without respect, the relationship boards a runaway train. We both, though trying to communicate our needs, end up unintentionally hurting each other, leading to frustration, confusion, and isolation. This happens because, as the Bible reminds us in Ephesians 5:33, wives are called to respect their husbands, and husbands are called to love their wives. When these needs are unmet, one partner feels unloved and the other feels disrespected, sending the train barreling down the tracks.

In these moments, the challenge is to recognize that this isn’t caused by malice or evil intent, but by misunderstanding. Women tend to approach issues in an indirect way, sometimes trying to solve problems without clearly communicating their needs. Men, on the other hand, often want direct answers and solutions. When these two styles clash, one partner withdraws, and the other feels hurt by the withdrawal, fueling the train's acceleration toward a crash.

Understanding and respect are key. For men, respect is vital to their sense of honor, and if they feel disrespected, they will disengage from the relationship, thinking it is more important than the specific issue at hand. Women, on the other hand, often act out of a desire to help, protect, or guide, but when this is perceived as criticism, it can make their husbands feel disrespected. The result is both partners retreating into defensive modes, and the train keeps speeding toward a collision, unsure of how to stop.

However, this train can be slowed down and redirected when both partners recognize their differences and the unique needs each has. As Matthew 19:4 reminds us, God made us male and female—different, but complementary. The challenge is to embrace these differences, understanding that what may seem like a conflict is often a result of different ways of processing emotions, issues, and needs.

The way out of the runaway train is through patience, understanding, and a commitment to honoring one another. Speak truth in love. Listen without the need to fix everything. Sometimes, you don’t need solutions, just a partner who listens. Don’t let pride or frustration lead you to derail your marriage. This is not about fixing everything; it’s about being there for each other and learning to communicate with love and respect.

In all of this, marriage is not just about surviving the difficult seasons—it’s about honoring God through your relationship. As you navigate these challenges, remember that God sees the effort and growth in your relationship and will reward your faithfulness, even if the rewards are not immediate or obvious. Continue to turn to Him for strength, guidance, and wisdom in your marriage.