“When your son asks…” Part 2: The healthy lifestyle

Have you ever experienced the “why’s” of a healthy lifestyle from your kids?  “Why do I have to eat my vegetables?” “Why do I need to brush my teeth?” “Go to bed already?! Why?” “I’m still hungry, why can’t I have another cupcake?”

A key aspect to raising children is of course teaching them these healthy habits–everything from eating properly to getting enough rest and exercise to good hygiene.  Sometimes getting a child to comply with such requests can be like pulling teeth. So how can parents and caregivers use the treasures of Christ’s wisdom to address the “why’s” of taking care of our health?

To begin with, there is creation.  As the pinnacle of His seven day creation, God made man in His own image, carefully forming him and breathing life into him.  God continues to be the Creator of each person, as described in Psalm 139:13-14 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.”

With the introduction of sin into the world, the matter of taking care of oneself became even more important!  Now the earth is filled with illness, disease, aging–as well as the temptation to be lazy, neglectful, and gluttonous!  These can make for a sickening combination.  Proverbs 25:16 addresses the matter of unhealthy habits and their consequences quite bluntly: “If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit.”

Through proper training (1 Corinthians 9:27) and Christ’s power (Philippians 4:13), we can overcome these temptations and live as He has called us to, properly stewarding God’s creation.

So, when your teaching your child not too eat too many sweets, to get to bed at the right time, and brush their teeth, you are training them honour the Lord through their faithfulness in taking care of the gift of their lives. People are God’s handiwork and our bodies have been given to us as a gift from Him, of which we are to be good stewards of.  Additionally, for the believing child, Scripture teaches (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) that their bodies are God’s temple.  Surely such a precious place should be well cared for!

These times of instructing your kids on proper habits provide an opportunity for you to connect the dots between the Scriptures and their life–teaching them about creation: God made them in His image and gave their bodies as a gift;  sin: the reason for sickness & temptation to make poor choices; and redemption: through Christ, we have the power to overcome these temptations and live as His temple.