There was a time, not long ago, when I did not treat my body or mind well. I ate whatever tasted good to me without a single thought about its nutritional value. I didn’t exercise because it hurt too much. On the mental side, I didn’t read books or otherwise exercise my brain. I spent a lot of time sitting and watching television. As a result, my weight ballooned up and I just became lazy in every way.
Then I received a wakeup call in the form of brain surgery. I realized how casually I had treated my life. I hadn’t taken care of my mind, body, or relationships. As a way to recover physically I started walking. At first, it was only for about 5 minutes. It grew longer and longer to about 10 miles per day nowadays. Being retired, I had time to read and now had a new desire to do so. I have been reading up to 20 books a month. Thank God for ebooks available for free from the library. I also spend time in mental exercises daily and hardly watch any television anymore.
However, the biggest change has taken place in my spiritual life. I have always had daily devotional times in the morning. But now I am making a concerted effort by God’s grace to read scripture and pray throughout the day. It has revolutionized my walk with God.
But I can’t do any of this in my own strength. I have to constantly submit myself to the power of God. I Corinthians 3:16-17 says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” God has given each of us a body, mind and soul. He expects us to treat them with the respect and care due to His temple. Be careful what you put into His temple and what you choose to do with His temple.
Reluctant Retiree 