Whenever I teach on the subject of listening to your body there is usually someone who comes out with the quip, “That’s the problem. I do listen to my body and it says, ‘Go on, have some more!’” 

Our bodies are wonderful creations, are they not? I’m not talking here about outward cosmetic appearance (which for many of us may leave much to be desired) but the intricacy of design and purpose expressed through our skeleton, organs, muscular and nervous system and our five senses.  God, when He created us, put everything in its rightful place and with the skill unrivalled by any earthly craftsman arranged it so that the various parts would fully interact: thought, energy, movement in perfect synchronism.  ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made,’ exclaimed the Psalmist.  Amen to that!

Our responsibility, so far as our body is concerned, is basically to look after it: to make sure that it is nourished with foods which will supply the necessary nutrients for optimum health; to exercise it so that strength and suppleness is maintained and to provide it with adequate rest.  When the body is deficient in any of these areas it begins to break down: resistance to disease is lowered, movement becomes impaired and we find it hard to cope with the demands of daily life.  This is a simplistic view, I consent, and for those who face challenges in spite of doing all the right things, please do not feel condemned. But the truth is that the blessings of God do have to be maintained!

One of the ways in which a car mechanic can tell what state a vehicle is in is by listening to the engine. He can discern every thud, whine and splutter and can home in on where the problem is.  A doctor takes his stethoscope, listens to our chest, makes his diagnosis and prescribes treatment. In like manner, we need to develop the art of listening to our body – it will tell us more than we think!

Somewhere between Christmas and New Year I slipped down the stairs and fractured my big toe.  There isn’t much you can do for this condition except wait for it to heal up, but it left me hobbling around for over a month, unable to put pressure on the wounded part and only able to fit into a pair of ugly brogue shoes which had seen better days! Now I’m not fanatical about exercise but as the weeks wore on I began to crave going for a nice long walk, even to sprint – just to open up the engines and let this body fly! My muscles, I believe, were crying out for this.  On Saturday I walked six miles and it was exhilarating. I’m not running yet, but on Sunday morning in church, as we sang the lyrics: ‘I will dance, I will give to You extravagant praise’ I did manage a charismatic bop in gratitude for my healing!

So far as food is concerned I notice that here, too, my body tells me what it needs –not just the amounts (regulated by its hunger and satisfaction signals) but even the nutrients. I have noticed during this cold spell that I have wanted more carbohydrates – presumably to help keep my body warm. If I go so much as a day without a good supply of fruit and vegetables I really miss them. After a period of eating richer-than-usual food (at Christmas for instance) my body rebels and screams at me ‘NO MORE!’

Sadly many of us have lost touch with this art of listening to our body. Instead we have abused it either by listening to the voices of self-indulgence expressed as lame justifications for over-eating or by confusing the hunger of our heart with the real hunger pangs of our stomach. Then, feeling powerless to regulate ourselves, we have resorted to rules and mantras which have served only to intensify our longings for ‘forbidden fruit’ and left us feeling guilty and ashamed whenever we have put a foot wrong.

Listen!  Your body is your friend, not your enemy! Ask yourself today, ‘What does my body need?’ Is it more rest? Exercise? Is it smaller portions so that I don’t feel stuffed and lethargic after eating?  Learn not only to listen, but to trust.  God made you and now, through His Holy Spirit, if you have surrendered your life to Him, He indwells you.  Your body is His Temple. Today, why not surrender your appetite to Him anew and ask Him to develop within you that gift of discernment so that you might work in harmony with your body. You will be amazed at the results!