Editor's Note: This article first appeared on YoungWifesGuide.com.
As a homemaker, wife and mother I know it’s my responsibility to make sure my family is living a healthy life. We are not perfect at it, (as I type this, I’m gazing longingly at the donuts inside the Starbucks display case) but I do strive to create a healthy environment for my family.
It is glorifying to God to take care of our health and our bodies. But first, I just have to get this out of the way: God is sovereign. He is Lord, creator, and sustainer over this life. I have no control over the days of my family’s life (Matthew 6:27). John Piper says it well,
“Some godly people who exercise regularly and eat well drop dead at every age. And some sedentary overeaters live to be ninety. Our days are set by God, not us. You won’t live a day longer or shorter than God decides. But keep in mind that some people have survived the plunge over Niagara Falls. That doesn’t make it wise” (Physical Exercise: What I Do and Why).
Do We Have a Responsibility to Live Healthy?
Having said that, we do have a responsibility to take care of our bodies and our health. God has given us a gift in this life and we are bought with a price.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
While this verse is talking specifically about sexual sin, the lesson still applies. We are to glorify God in our bodies. How do we do that?
We glorify God in our bodies when we take care of them in a way that we have the energy and stamina to serve him more fully. A healthy lifestyle promotes more energy and mental clarity to work hard at our jobs, take care of our home, diligently teach our children, love our husbands, and serve God’s church! And all of that is glorifying to God! Our goal in healthy living should not be to lengthen our lives but rather be able to more fully serve God.
Taking Steps Towards a Healthier Lifestyle
The Lord has been teaching me a lot lately on what it means to live a healthy life. I have grown immensely in the last four years of marriage and know I have a lot more to learn. But here are a few things you can do to start a healthier lifestyle.
1) Cook From Scratch
I am trying (as time permits with twin babies) to cook as much as possible from scratch. Yes, this takes some thought and planning, but at the end of the day cooking our meals from scratch is better for our wallet and our health.
Our goal is to slowly cut out more and more processed foods and try and eat more real, whole foods. This helps with many illnesses, general health, and will give you SO much more energy! Here are 4 reasons to eat a more natural whole foods diet.
2) Eliminate Toxins
While it does seem that everything today causes cancer, there is actually a lot of truth in that. We use so
many synthetic and altered chemicals and substances today and many of them are proven to cause harm. While I don’t think you can eliminate everything (and shouldn’t worry about the small stuff) we have taken steps to eliminate some obviously harmful products in our life.
We have eliminated 97% of artificial sweeteners in our diet (I leave that 3% because Diet Pepsi is my weakness!! Gross I know…).
I am also so much more aware of the toxins and chemicals in things like cleaning and skin care products since having my babies. I am very aware of what goes near my babies and I have become much more natural in my skincare and household products since having them!
3) Exercise More
Ugg. This is an area I am struggling to find time for. I would love to blame this on the fact that I have twin baby boys and simply can’t find the time. But the truth is, I didn’t make time for it before getting pregnant either. I have always struggled with making a consistent exercise routine. But my husband and I have been walking in the evenings and weekends are really trying to work on it!
Developing a consistent work out routine, even if that just means walking everyday can give you so much more energy and stamina to tackle the day!
4) Pray!
What does praying have to do with getting healthy? It can be really hard sometimes to break old habits. I know that getting my heart into shape by exercising is what I need to do but I lack discipline. This is an area of laziness in my life and thus is sin. I need to pray and confess that laziness and ask the Lord to help me get disciplined! What do you need to pray and ask for help with?
As a homemaker, we set the tone in our homes and we have the ability to create a healthy atmosphere for our families... all for God’s Glory! What are your healthy living tips?