My Body, God's Temple

1 Cor 6:19 KJV… "What? Know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own."

The bible references our body as a temple of God especially as believers. In serving as God’s temple we not only have to edify our bodies with the scripture, we also have to take care of our body in regards to our health.

As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I have seen patients especially women who spend hours taking care of their families, loved ones, husband, children and neglecting their own health. Women in particular known for our “mothering” nature always seem to be the culprit. We tend to cater to the needs of others and ignore ourselves.

In order to be our best selves, I always advice my patients to listen to their bodies. Rest when its time to do so, take time to relax, breathe and most especially get a full body “tune up” once a year. The yearly physical is one that most of us ignore because we “feel fine”. Think about a yearly physical as the same as the way we care for our cars by getting an oil change and tire rotation to make sure that our cars can take us from point A to point B.

A yearly physical even when we feel “fine and healthy” is important because it makes us aware of what is normal or abnormal with our bodies. During a physical exam, your medical practitioner will perform a complete history and a head to toe physical assessment. Your medical practitioner may order blood work if necessary.

For most women a cervical cancer screening will be performed every 3 years unless a yearly screening is indicated based on history. Women over the age of 40 should get a yearly mammogram and over the age of 50 should get a colonoscopy every 10 years or as indicated.

For men, a prostate cancer screening is recommended yearly after the age of 40 and a colonoscopy every 10 years as indicated at the age of 50 and above.

In our season of waiting, we should make it a point of duty to make our bodies God's temple. We need to treat it well, nurture it, nourish it and make it presentable because God dwells in our spirit, soul and body.