Why should we take care of our bodies? 💪

Our bodies are a gift from God 🎁, and while they're not perfect (thanks to sin) 😔, they’re still worth taking care of.

But here's the interesting part: we’re not caring for our bodies to prove our worth to God or anyone else. Instead, we’re maintaining them so we can better serve others. 🤝

Think about it: when we’re exhausted 😴, hungry 🍽️, or unwell 🤒, it’s much harder to be there for our neighbors.

Just as Jesus grew "in wisdom and stature," we too are called to maintain our physical selves — not for vanity's sake 💅, but for service. 🙌

We might struggle with this concept from two different angles:

💃Body image issues — trying to meet impossible standards.

🫠Neglecting our bodies entirely — thinking only spiritual matters count.

Both extremes miss the point: our bodies, minds, and souls are all connected. 🧠💖💪 When one suffers, they all do.

Consider something as simple as sleep. 😴 God created day and night for a reason. When you get enough rest, you’re better equipped to love and serve others.

The same goes for eating well 🥗 and staying active 🏃‍♂️.

It’s not about looking like Captain America 🦸‍♂️ or following the latest fitness trend — it’s about being healthy enough to fulfill our vocations.

This balance can be tricky. ⚖️

Society pushes us to prove our worth through constant busyness 🏃‍♀️ or perfect appearances 📸.

But remember: your worth isn’t in what you can do or how you look. It’s in what Christ has done for you. ✝️

Your body, broken as it may be 😔, is redeemed by Him 🙏 and will be restored in the resurrection. 🌅

So care for yourself — not too little, not too much.

✔️ Get enough sleep 😴

✔️ Eat well 🍎

✔️ Stay active 🚶‍♂️

When we take care of ourselves, we’re better able to love our neighbor ❤️ as Christ loves us. ✝️

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Deaconess Emma Heinz serves as the Registrar of Higher Things.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus