Freely given

We have not received the spirit of this world but the spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. I Corinthians 2:12

Verse Reflections: I have to admit that I fight this verse. I am so tempted to quit trying to “just eat heathy” and follow the world inundated with fad diets, new medications, and weight-loss trends that promise quick dependable results. With the societal pressures to look a certain way, it’s easy to lose sight of the true motivation behind pursuing a healthy lifestyle. As followers of Christ, we are not led by the spirit of the world. Instead, we have received the Spirit of God, who helps us understand the gifts He has freely given us—including our bodies, which are temples of His Spirit. If I am eating healthy and exercising then I need to close my ears to the women around me who are constantly on a mission to be skinny, not healthy, but skinny. Everywhere I turn in the world I live in, women want to have the bodies of an 18 year old. I have to thank God for changing me to concentrate on my health not a perfect body. God designed our bodies with care and intention. He gave us the ability to move, to nourish ourselves, and to serve Him with energy and strength. Yet, when we rely on the fleeting motivations of culture—shame, comparison, or worldly definitions of beauty—we may find ourselves stuck in cycles of frustration, guilt, or unhealthy habits.

Instead, let us align our pursuit of health with the Spirit of God. Eating well and exercising are not about achieving perfection but about stewarding the bodies God has entrusted to us. The Spirit reminds us that we are loved by God, no matter our size or shape. This understanding frees us to make healthy choices out of gratitude, not guilt, the pursuit of perfection or the admiration of others.

When we choose whole, nourishing foods, we honor the gift of life God has given us. When we exercise, we strengthen the vessel He uses to carry out His purposes. And when we rest, we embrace the rhythms of grace He designed for our well-being.

Through the Spirit, we can break free from the world’s standards and focus on what truly matters: honoring God with our choices and using our bodies to glorify Him.

Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of my body and the Spirit You have given me to guide my life. Help me to see myself through Your eyes, not the eyes of the world. I am already seeing a huge difference in my ability to shake off the judgement of others. I am seeing a calm acceptance of my body right now, as I am. Give me wisdom and strength to make choices that honor You and care for the temple You have entrusted to me. You have freely given us the foods that we need to eat and they are delicious. We have choices that are easy to reach for and enjoy. Continue to separate me from the world. Just knowing You think I am perfect and beautiful no matter what size I am relaxes my spirit and gives me the freedom to choose the healthy foods You created. May my journey toward health be one of gratitude, freedom, and joy, rooted in Your love. Thank You for reminding me that You gave me the spirit and standards of heaven, not of this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.