Discipline isn’t easy, so you have a head start on this week’s topic because you showed up for week 3! Way to resist that snooze button! Even on the days you fell back asleep or had nothing to pray, you showed up. God will continue to reward you for your sacrifice, promise.
This week we focus on our habits in relation to our bodies- the way we treat them, the food we consume/abstain from, and even our sex lives. Our bodies are more connected to our spiritual life than we realize!
“Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Sometimes the hardest person to say “no” to is yourself. Whether it’s the donuts at work, staying home vs. working out, or waking up while it is still dark to pray, our “flesh” (or human nature) wants the easy way out. God understands our struggle against our flesh and sent Jesus to show us how to master our desires.
Jesus faced the same daily choice to say “no” to his own desires in order to fulfill the will of God. We see this through his entire earthly life– sleeping in uncomfortable places, fasting for days, dying on the cross– the list goes on! Jesus understood that his body was created for the glory of God. When we see our body as the temple it was created to be, we will treat it with greater care and respond to God with deeper obedience.
Let’s Pray:
1.) Let’s celebrate 2 weeks of prayer! What is one way God has already refined your thinking during this session?
2.) What is your biggest struggle with taking care of your body? When do you find it hardest to say no/yes to the indulgences/restrictions in this area? Ask God, “Is it a time of day? Is it when I am angry/stressed/tired? Do certain relationships trigger this unhealthy pattern?”
3.) God created us in His image which is “good,” therefore our body is good. In Matthew 22:39 we are told to “love your neighbor as you love yourself“. Is there something that has prevented you from loving your body and caring for it properly? Write down what God says is good about your body!
Ok so what im hearing is that the best part of my body is the inside, My heart…. my outward appearance is not so pleasing…but it is a work in progress. This lesson had triggered a lot of emotion! I struggle EVERY day with my weight…. granted i have lost weight, but the way i see myself is not pleasing to myself, so somtimes withdrawal from events or situations that cause me to meet new people…. i struggle with eating habits, exercise habits, and sometimes self care. I know i have to exercise to stay healthy. And satan always tries to intice me not to go to the gym. I made a commitment to this prayer time, and i also made a commitment to go to the gym 3 times a week… i started in January, and i am doing okay. I crank on my music, sometimes listening to the same song on repeat… (“Grace got you”…by Mercy me is my go to)and i pray on the treadmill! Im learning how to love myself…..14 Let all that you do be done in love. – 1Corinthians 16:14 (NASB)…..love for God,family ,neighbor, and my self!
Esta, that’s great! And the way you are on the outside is NOT displeasing. God is not disappointed in you! You are perfect in His sight. Can we all grow and better ourselves? Absolutely. But God doesn’t see you as anything less than beautiful. I am excited for the journey you are on!