How Healthy Are Your Spiritual Eyes?
How can “Healthy Eyes” affect my physical health?
Matthew 6:22 New International Version (NIV)
If your eyes are healthy your whole body will be full of light.
Unfortunately society [social media, schools, workplace, etc.] can control the internal narrative that we replay over and over in our minds about our self-worth. This narrative causes us to judge ourselves based on what mass media says is good, perfect and acceptable. This can be dangerous on so many levels. For the purpose of this article I want to focus on how this narrative affects our perspective on positive body image; and subsequently affects overall health, body weight and nutrition.
How would you feel about yourself if all positive body images portrayed in the media, FB, IG, magazines, etc. looked like you? Imagine that people who look just like you are the standard of health and beauty for our society. Whether you are Black or Brown, slim or thick, short or tall, young or old, people look at you and want to be just like you. Close your eyes and see yourself as the standard of health and beauty. How would you feel about yourself? How much better would you treat yourself?
I believe that because society has poisoned our physical eyes with visuals that tell us we’re not worthy because we fall short of the standard (which is a made up standard and rarely attainable), we find ourselves in a position of not embracing our full value.
So why would you take care of something you don’t value?
Romans 12:1-2 New International Version (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. 2. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The desire for change has to come from a healthy place in order to be sustainable.
Think about the time you lost 5lbs for that beach vacation and came home 6lbs heavier. Or that time you lost 10lbs after a bad break up. That came back in a couple of months. The desire for change needs to originate from a healthy place inside of you. Remember this is a personal journey for you and about you only. You don’t need to announce it on FB. You don’t need a friend to join you. You don’t need to get validation from anyone that you’re losing weight. This has to become almost a secret between you and God. You can give a praise report later when you’ve accomplished your mission.
Luke 11:34 New International Version (NIV)
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy your whole body also is full of light. But when unhealthy, your body is also full of darkness.
Set yourself up for success:
Become acutely aware of what you’re looking at both consciously and unconsciously. Unrealistic societal images feed negative thoughts about your body image. Eliminating these images is a great first step to a healthier body.
Spend more time reflecting on the health that God has already blessed you with and thank Him. The more grateful you are for what God has already done, the more you will be motivated to take care of it.
Start with nutritious foods and exercises that you like. Don’t expect to follow through with a plan that doesn’t fit your palate. If you have bad knees, don’t plan to run 3 times a week. Set yourself up for success!
Choose times and days that make sense for your schedule. If you work 12 hours a day, take care of an elderly parent, have 3 kids and a spouse, you will need to break up your workouts into bit size time frames: 5 minutes of stretching when you wake up, 15 minutes of walking around noon and maybe twice a week try a 20 minute YouTube workout in front of the tv instead of sitting and binge watching Netflix the whole time.
Our God created us for greatness! Life circumstances can shift our view to forget God’s plan and look to the world for answers. Keep your physical eyes and spiritual eyes tuned into the greatness God created for you. Spend time thanking, praising, and seeking direction toward a positive definition of health and wellness for your life.
Contributor: Natalie McClinton
First A.M.E Church, Gary, Indiana