Faith & Fitness: Week 4

Week 4: SELF CONTROL

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." Hebrews 4:15

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25

 
Who doesn't struggle with self control? Last week we touched on binge eating- which is my major flaw in the area of self control. God can give us the strength to overcome this, and to develop healthy eating habits.

Think about when Jesus was in the desert for 40 days & Satan tempted him to turn the rocks into bread. How hungry do you think our Savior was? What strength it must have taken to deny himself at that point! We can call on Him for that strength when we are tempted in our eating. Because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
 

Faith & Fitness: Week 3

Week 3: YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE

"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." 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
 
In this scripture, Paul is speaking of abstaining from sexual immorality, but we can also honor God with our bodies by keeping ourselves healthy. I used to binge eat all the time & I would feel convicted: am I honoring God with my body when I eat a whole pint of Ben & Jerry's? Am I treating my body as a temple, or a garbage disposal?
 
This is something I still struggle to control. I stopped buying ice cream & chips, but I can still binge on a bag of almonds & raisins when I am not being mindful. I continue to ask God for strength to honor Him with my body by taking good care of it & exhibiting self control- which we will talk about next week!