Hey Friends, I hope you are doing well. In this week’s podcast, we are going to continue talking about the pillars that create the foundation for your life. For the past three podcasts, I’ve shared ideas and insights on how to create a strong spiritual, mental and emotional pillar. This week, we are going to focus on your physical pillar.
There are many components that make up the physical pillar. Your physical pillar is where you live your life in the world through your actions, which are prompted by the other three pillars.
Paul tells us in Corinthians, “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.”
In this podcast, we are going to talk about three aspects of your physical pillar, love, rest and water. There are many aspects you could focus on but these three things can help you to strengthen your physical pillar.
Let’s start with love. It is important to love and accept your physical body. The world is full of ideas and expectations about how your body should look; the size and shape of your body, the color of your skin, your hairstyle and your clothes. It is so easy to get caught up in trying to change your body for the world’s approval. Striving for the perfect worldly body creates feelings of unworthiness, self-doubt, insecurities and self-loathing. The problem is that the world is continually changing its expectations which means that approval never happens. It is so easy to compare yourself to unrealistic expectations on TV and social media.
In Psalm 139 we read, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Right now, your body is fearfully and wonderfully made. The appearance of your physical body becomes the focus and it is easy to forget that your body was created by an amazing God. We all needed to be reminded that our bodies are made in the likeness and image of God. So, how do you learn to love your body even when it is different from what the world approves of? Here are three steps
1. Go to scripture. This will remind you that God loves you and why you are so valuable. You will gain insight into what God values and expects from you rather than basing your worth on the world’s standards.
2. Pause. When you find yourself striving for the world’s expectations or comparing yourself to others, pause and question your motives. Why is this important to you? How will it make you feel to be approved in the eyes of others? Could you go to God for the same approval?
3. Accept. Wherever you are right now physically, however your body looks…accept it. You can waste so much time avoiding what is right in front of you. Accept where you are without any shame or blame. Then ask yourself, how can I improve. Allow God to guide your journey, not the world.
Another way you can strengthen your physical pillar is by drinking water. I know that this sounds so simple and ridiculous to share with you, but water is so important.I’m sure you’ve heard that the human body is made up of 50 to 70 percent water, and that drinking enough every day is essential for everything from maintaining a healthy weight to energy levels and flushing toxins out of the body. According to the Huffington Post, even though research has shown how critical water is for human health, statistics show that 50% of people do not get enough water on a daily basis. A Harvard Medical School article answers the question of how much water you should drink by stating, “There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Water intake must be individualized, and you should check with your doctor if you are not sure about the right amount for you.” Water keeps every system in the body functioning properly.
Here are 3 reasons to drink more water.
1. Since your brain is mostly water, drinking water helps you think, focus and concentrate so that you can be more alert. Water also gives you more energy, which allows you to live your life to the fullest.
2. Water is cleansing. When you drink plenty of water your body is able to function properly by eliminating toxins. Your kidneys and colons work more efficiently to empty out waste.
3. Dehydration can cause you to feel lethargic, fatigue and exhaustion. The next time you feel tired, try drinking a tall glass of water. It could be the energy boost you need!
A final way to strengthen your physical pillar is with rest. We live in a world that wears busyness as a badge of honor. There is constantly some activity or task that needs to be done. It is easy to find yourself on the hamster wheel in constant motion. Rest can be seen as luxury or considered to be lazy. Rest is crucial to a healthy physical life, but it also impacts your spiritual, mental and emotional pillars too.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you,
because I am humble and gentle at heart,
and you will give rest for your souls.
Your body is created for rest. Jesus knows that you grow weary and encourages you to give him your troubles and burdens so that in turn he can give you rest for your soul but also for your body. The definition of rest is to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. When was the last time you truly felt relaxed and refreshed? Do you find you have to go on vacation to find rest? What if it were possible to create rest in your everyday life?
Here are three ways to find time for rest.
1. Many times your to-do list can be longer than the hours you have in your day and you find yourself working from sunrise to sunset. Commit to setting aside the to-do list at a certain time with the understanding that you will pick it back up the next day. Setting boundaries with your time ensures that you have time in your day for rest. It might be hard at first to stop when there are still tasks to accomplish, but giving yourself time to rest will allow you to be more productive in the long run.
2. Allow yourself to read a good book, watch a TV show or take a slow walk in nature as you breathe in fresh air. You could also make time to call a friend or family member to talk and catch up. The key is to simply enjoy the activity without thinking about what needs to be done.
3. Find a hobby. A hobby is an activity that takes you out of the everyday routine into something you are passionate about. A hobby can give you a sense of accomplishment and control. Saving some time for yourself to enjoy a hobby can provide the physical, mental, emotional, and creative benefits that make life more meaningful, relaxing, and fun!
Alright friends, I hope over the past few weeks you have gained some ideas on how to strengthen your spiritual, mental, emotional and spiritual pillars so that you can have a happy, healthy, holy life.
Let’s pray:
Lord, thank you for our spiritual bodies. Give us the strength and wisdom to honor them. Please bless our bodies and heal all that is broken. Lord, help us learn to find rest from the busyness of the world. Help us to remember that you are willing to carry our burdens, we only have to share them with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Alright friends, stay happy, healthy and holy. God Bless!
