This post may be a little controversial, but it’s something that’s been weighing on my heart for a while. And I recently discovered that I’m not the only one who’s been burdened to share.
When I started researching holistic health and real food, it wasn’t long before I realized that the whole concept of natural health and wellness could easily become an idol. And there are many Christians whose goal turns from spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ (salvation for the lost through His redemptive act on the cross) to spreading the “good news” of health, wealth, and prosperity.
I could easily name specific preachers or “diets” that claim that if we only adhere to this or that principle, we will never suffer here on this earth. But I won’t mudsling. However, I encourage you to wisely weigh each sermon, article, blog post, and words from well-meaning friends.
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Can we “name and claim” our health? Can eating well–a 100% organic diet–ensure long life and prosperity? Is eating in such a way and taking care of our bodies through holistic care–such a chiropractic, acupuncture, etc.–obedience to God? And, if so, will God bless us for our efforts?
If you know Christ as your Savior, I believe your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. And as such, you (we) should take care of that temple.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 says: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body,”
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But honoring God with our bodies does not mean we will have no troubles in this world. In fact, Jesus said in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Those troubles may equal different things for different people. For some, it may be illness. For others it may be financial difficulties or a strained marriage. Regardless, Jesus didn’t promise a trial-free life.
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However, there are those who preach that we can simply quote healing Scriptures out of context, and, if we have enough faith and put forth enough effort, God will give us health and wealth here on earth.
If God blesses only those who eat healthy and spend money on premium holistic healthcare, what are we to say to:
- the single mother who can barely afford groceries–much less grassfed meats and raw milk,
- the elderly couple who survives on medicare to meet their medical needs–and visiting holistic health practitioners is simply not an option,
- the large family, who has chosen to invest in biblical homeschooling curriculum over a 100% organic diet,
- and, lastly, to the millions of men, women, and children living in extreme poverty in the third world? The very people who can chose to live on GMO corn–or not eat at all?
Have you ever struggled with thinking that “if only” you could live a 100% healthy lifestyle that God would bless you more? What are your thoughts?
Be sure to visit the other ladies who have written on the same topic:
Stacy: Food is Not Your God
Christy: A Realistic Perspective on Real Food in a Very Real World
Deitra Brunner
A very timely article as i have been researching more healthy options. The Bible verse, “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18) kept coming to me, but I would push it aside as I devoured (what was I eating?) yet another article on health.
As late as this morning, I saw that my research started veering off into who is producing what–local farmers do good work; which company is not health conscious–oh, I won’t buy anymore of their products; what the politician’s agendas are–I knew…wait a minute! Politics? I NEVER get involved in politics!
I was beginning to see how I was getting off track. I was commenting on posts that I would normally just bypass and I was posting items that before did not hold any interest to me, and in all honesty they still don’t, I just found myself angry.
Also as late as this morning before I even got up I prayed and talked to God. Yes, I want to get physically healthy but not at the expense of my spiritual health. And I was led to this article.
Thank you so much for your obedience in posting the truth of this post; now I can go forward correctly.
Stay Blessed,
Erin
Praise God He led you to this! 🙂
Kim
Hi, I came over from Stacy’s blog. It’s amazing how Satan can get us off track and distract us from what God would have us do. He’ll use any means that works, won’t he? Great post!
Erin
Thank you–yes–I agree!
Nancy
Thank you. Blessings to you for speaking truth. God says to “give thanks in all things” . Whatever it is, including the food we have (organic or not etc.), if we obey Him in giving thanks, will He not bless it? I think so, not necessarily in physical health, but in spiritual blessings that can’t be measured. This life, no matter how healthy, is at best a “vapor”. Let’s really invest in what’s eternal.
Erin
Thank you for your kinds words, Nancy. It’s good to know we are on the same page!
Injustice Gods Among Us
Amazing! Its actually amazing post, I have got much clear idea
about from this piece of writing.
Valerie
Bless you, ladies. This has been on my heart also. How much money , time and energy are we women focusing on what we eat , that could be spent on our kids or our husbands??
Marilyn
Thank you. I look up to you as a homemaker and mother because I see you as a “grounded” person. I was starting to feel so overwhelmed with eating real food and only giving my family organic that I was forgetting to enjoy what God has given me. And sadly it was becoming an idol. Thank you again for this article.
Vicki Morrison
Thank you for helping us keep perspective! I’ve recently found myself bemoaning all the years I did all the ‘wrong things’. God is so gracious! And I’m so glad He has put women in our paths who can help us focus on Him. Wondering if anyone else has had trouble with the link to Anne’s post – still haven’t been able to connect there – even from the other pages.
Susan Houser
Erin your blog is my favorite and I so enjoy your posts. I am a 70 year old healthy and health-conscious lady and I have to say that you connected the dots for me. I have begun to feel a bit selfish about spending more than I should on healthy eating when there are so many in this world who are without even the basic food. Is it right to indulge ourselves this way and is this what The Lord would want? I have been concerned recently that I am more interested in reading the web about health than reading the Bible…not good. It is a struggle to practice self control in all areas of our lives.
You are a real sweetie…God bless you for your openness and sweet spirit and for your wonderful and discerning blog:)
Susan Houser
Alyssa Marie Thys
I’ve struggled with health problems for many years and I believe God lead me to the right people who could help me find healing from natural health. Other methods had only made me worse. That being said, you’re totally right that healthy eating, natural health or health itself should never be anyone’s god and neither should doctors and pills. Those are merely methods in which people pursue health (which coming from someone with chronic illness, is a valid thing to pursue but not to worship). They are not impenetrable towers where nothing ever goes wrong and they make poor gods. God is the true healer. We also shouldn’t judge each other based on quality of health and how we choose to pursue it (as long as it includes praying to God for healing). I know what I believe about health and what I’ll choose for myself and my family but I have no authority over what anyone else chooses. I’ve seen division among Christians come from both sides of this issue and it’s ugly! It’s not a issue of salvation or sin so I think we should all respect each other’s choices.
Thank you for your timely article! Keep up the good work and God bless!
Katie Oldham
YES! I love that you stood up and said this. EVERYTHING, including our ways of wellness (food and exercise) is another means to prepare us to live this life for the LORD…and should not become our idols. I am a wellness professional by trade, and it is pervasive in this industry to make fitness/food more important than faith…but faith should be the foundation of it all.
Additionally, I AM a healthy person, trying to exercise and eat well as best I can…but I lost my husband to cancer. So–what that tells me is that GOD gives us the trails we need so that He can chisel away at us to make us more of who we are supposed to be here…He DOES NOT promise perfection for those who can do or spend or accomplish certain earthly standards. For me, He gives me living well as a TOOL to communicate through my profession, hopefully sharing a refreshing perspective with women. Because we are all already beautiful children of God.
Oh, I could keep going…but the 4 of you who blogged on this today really did a wonderful thing. I commend you for it in a world of people valuing aesthetics and real food above real faith. Thank you.
Brecklyn
Thank you so much for this post. It makes me sad when I see people trying to make healthy choices for themselves and their families and they are berated for not using “organic” or “non-gmo” or whatever. We are all doing the best we can, and learning as we go.
Angela
I struggle with this as I try to make body healthy enough to have a baby. It means the most to me aside from God and my husband. That makes it very difficult to keep my priorities straight and to not become depressed.