A part of living a righteous life is to have respect for how God made the body. Listen to the internal cues as all animals do. If you are thirsty, drink. If you are hungry, eat. If you are sleepy, sleep. If you are sick or tired, rest as the body cues you, and if your feet hurt, sit down. Listen and respond to digestive tract movements. When I am really tired, I get completely horizontal—no pillow—so my heart can rest. I learned this from responding to what felt best for my body. If something is painful, do not do it—like overexercising. Just work up the muscles slowly. Avoid too much sun. It is wrong to inflict pain on your body. Be wise and you will protect your bones and your body the rest of your life. The answers are within. This fact helps a child to become secure, mature, and dependent on God, and independent of man. In general, people like to be told what to do so that they do not have the responsibility of finding the leading of God for themselves. Dieters as a rule no longer trust themselves and have the impression that they will binge if given freedom.

Here is what you need to do… start with prayer—calling out to God for His lead and His Spirit of “self-control,” for His wisdom from within on what to eat, when to start and stop, when to spend resources and when to speak. We will continue on this topic tomorrow…

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