What Renews You?

Renewal is a word that’s often thrown around in Christian circles. It means to make fresh, to make new, or restore. But how does a Christian practice renewal? 

Well, first off, God created us with a soul and a body! Some of us may have grown up hearing ‘the spirit is good but the flesh is bad.’ If you don’t come from that kind of background, great! It’s a weird and sometimes hurtful concept. Renewal or self-care is taking care of all that we are. When we take care of our bodies it actually improves our mental health because everything in us is connected. As scripture says, “God satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:5.)

Renewal can look like exercising, taking time to move our bodies whether we run, walk, bike, stretch or dance. Getting our bodies moving gets those happy hormones flowing for a reason. Renewal could also mean letting ourselves enjoy a really good meal. Comfort foods get a bad rep for being unhealthy, but maybe our bodies are meant to enjoy good tasting food. Otherwise, why do we have tastebuds? (And remember - “God satisfies your desires”!) Renewal is doing anything that allows our body to partake in something that gives us energy and feels life-giving. Take some time and write down a few things that are renewing for you. How could you plan those into your week?