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10 comments

Erin Davis

Does It Matter What I Eat?

Posted on 12.16.10 by Erin Davis | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti
Topics: Relationship with God

Two chocolate chip cookies

A handful of chips

A half a hot dog

Part of a chicken salad sandwich

I am ashamed to say that the list above includes everything I had to eat one day not too long ago. I’d been busy, as always, and finding the time to eat right was lower than usual on my list of priorities.

As I sat down to spend some time with the Lord through Bible study and prayer that 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.

This connection is illustrated in the story of Elijah found in 1 Kings 19:1-13. 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 19:4-9)

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 women I know have a strained relationship with food. Many of them are so busy running from work to kid’s activities to church 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 of 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).

You’re 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 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

  1. There are so many beautiful lessons in these words, Thank you! Sometimes I think we get so caught-up in working for God and others that we unknowingly make ourselves a martyr when that's not at all what God has planned for us. We not only deceive others but we deceive ourselves and thus miss the joy of life God has for us.

    Shannan Parker
    https://shannanparker.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/manipulation/
    ShannanParker.wordpress.com
    posted by Shannan Parker
    on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 7:37 am
  2. Beautiful. Thank you. Food is not our enemy. Its meant to nourish us and to fuel our bodies with the nutrients it needs that we may serve God FULLY in this "vehicle" He gifted us with to serve him and plus, He is living IN us through the presence of His Holy Spirit and well, its HIS body after all. Thank you for that reminder too. I needed that. Amen!
    posted by Adaykis Betancourt
    on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 9:10 am
  3. During a busy day at the hospital (I am a nurse), I sometimes don't have time to eat. I will pause for a cup of cold water that refreshes me for a while. Eventually I need to eat or I can't think clearly.

    I am glad that you have applied this to our relationship with the Lord. We can't think clearly or hear His voice if we aren't taking care of our bodies.

    Great post!
    www.carolvanderwoude.authorweblog.com
    posted by Carol
    on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 9:55 am
  4. Thank you. This is a precious word from our Father. I am so thankful that He cares about every aspect of our lives, even the ones that seem - natural.
    posted by Lisa
    on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 10:26 am
  5. Thank you! God used this very passage to help this ragged feeling mother this week. Your wise words were a beautiful elaboration and confirmation of God's loving care and concern for me. Blessings to you dear people at Revive Our Hearts.
    posted by Heather
    on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 10:32 am
  6. Thank you for not ignoring the area of food....this is a delicate and out of control area in our society. Either feast or famine, with so many pressures both ways, strange how most church teaching dare not bring it up, almost as if afraid to offend. It is an allowed and unaddressed addiction for many. Sometimes doesn't it feel that health is something that we are encouraged to go on medications to achieve.
    Christians, let's be smarter about this area! We can refuse to be trapped by our society...when i am at peace and am in sabbath rest...the area of food comes in allignment with scripture, along with all other areas of my life. For me it can be used as a thermometer of overall health, spiritual included. Interesting.
    Thanks again revive our hearts for being bold brave and speaking His truth that we need to hear!
    posted by carmen
    on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 3:33 pm
  7. This is so amazing that you post this as I have been studying a new disease called "Morgellons" (www.cdc.gov) which is said to be linked to genetically modified or altered foods. My interest came after I chose the topic to speak on in my public speaking course this semester. Many altered foods are corn, maize, wheat and a new salmon that is to be approved by the FDA, (By the way, there are court documents showing that the FDA ignored their own scientists in approving the testing of genetically altered foods). Some of the side effects are itching, "crawling" sensations under the skin, mental fatigue and mental confusion. It's currently under study by the CDC (Centers for Disease). You're so right that we need to be mindful of what we are putting into our bodies. We need to let the Word guide our EVERY CHOICE! GOD KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT! Great post! Thanks for it and I'm going to be more careful myself!
    posted by JES
    on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 8:17 pm
  8. Good post! Good word that we really do need to treat our bodies the way God intended. He really does love us and wants what is best. Learning more help me to apply your Word Lord. Thanks for the post!
    posted by P
    on Friday, December 17, 2010 at 2:04 am
  9. I'm addicted to food! I've been trying and praying to lose weight for 20 years! I'm so tired of being a slave to food! I sincerely pray this is the beginning of the breakthrough I need in my life! Please pray for me!!!
    posted by Veronica
    on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 4:25 pm
  10. Since learning more and more about the really good foods that God gives us and then eating only those foods, I feel amazingly well and energetic. I have learned to eat about 10 fruits and vegetables a day and only small amounts of chicken and fish. I get protein from eggs, cheese, almonds and walnuts etc. I avoid all hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils which means I must do the home cooking routine. It really isn't that hard and is very economical. God created us for the foods HE gives us, not for the processed foods which have additives, preservatives, food colors , etc.
    I encourage anyone who will at least try this journey... even if it takes time to learn new habits.
    Blessings to all of you!
    posted by Mary Boes
    on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 3:42 pm

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