Temple of Love

Heyyy Sister-Girl! Welcoming you back or welcoming you with hugs and an abundance of love!

I’ve been praying for you, and I am confident that this series has been, and will continue to be, a blessing to both you and me.

In this season of “falling,” God has been inviting us to draw closer to Him and to lean fully into His unchanging love. Over the past few weeks, we have delved deep into His love—who He loves (everyone!), why He loves, how He loves, and when He loves (and yes, it’s always!).

Now that we’ve laid this foundation, I believe God wants us to turn our focus to how we love. In this devotional, we will explore specifically how we love our temples—the bodies He has entrusted to us.

What we have to recognize and hold onto is this: our bodies are temples.

Three years ago, I was over 200 lbs heavier than I am sitting here today. Honestly, back then, I didn’t think much about how I was treating my body. But now I see it differently: my body is a “Temple of Love”, and it deserves care.

Caring for our bodies isn’t just about physical appearance or even just health. It’s deeper than that, Sis. How we care for our bodies reflects how we honor the God who created them. Our bodies are not just shells; they’re sacred. They’re the place where the Holy Spirit dwells. That means how we treat them matters.

But let me be clear: it’s not about perfection. It’s about stewardship.

It’s worship.
It’s love.

A love not just for our bodies, but for our whole being because God cares about it all, body, mind, and spirit.

So we must begin (or continue) this journey of caring for our temples with intention, grace, and faith. With that in mind, let’s dive in and explore three key foundations that will guide us on this journey: discipline, peace, and rest.

Discipline

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)

I know, I know. Discipline is one of those words that might make us sigh or even give the side eye. But if anyone understands, Sis, it’s me.

I battled obesity for most of my life, well into my late 20s, and truly believed it was something I would never overcome. I had reached a point where my weight was literally breaking my body down. I faced shortness of breath, persistent back pain, recurring pneumonia, headaches, and anxiety. The list goes on.

I realized that if I continued down that path, God wouldn’t be able to use me the way He desired. I had to ask myself:

“If I can hardly walk 10–15 minutes without getting tired or feeling sharp pain in my lower back, how will God bring opportunities my way to travel or attend ministry events that require stamina?”

So for me, this journey has never been about being “skinny” or conforming to society’s standards. It’s always been about honoring God with my body, the temple He entrusted to me.

Loving our temples means being intentional about our health and caring for the bodies God has blessed us with. Exercising and nourishing ourselves properly isn’t just about physical well-being, it’s about purpose.

Discipline and obedience are love in action, and self-control is indeed a fruit of the Spirit.

Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Peace be still, Sis. Our peace is not a luxury, it’s a priority. Maintaining our peace is part of our wellness and should never be negotiated as Daughters of the King.

Our peace comes from the Lord when we keep our minds stayed on Him. That’s a steady peace that can’t be shaken by external circumstances. So even when the world feels like it’s going haywire, peace is still possible when we choose to rest in the Lord. (But we’ll talk more about rest in the next section.)

On a practical level, we can maintain our peace by setting boundaries—spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. This looks like saying no when necessary, not overextending ourselves, and respectfully dismissing those who do not honor those boundaries.

As stated before, there’s already enough chaos going on in the world. We must be intentional about maintaining peace in our minds and peace within our homes. Loving our temples involves setting boundaries, because boundaries aren’t walls—they’re wisdom. It’s about understanding what deserves your energy and what does not.

Rest

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:1–3)

Truthfully, rest is also a part of discipline. In the world we live in today, where everything and everyone must always be on the go to be considered “productive,” rest can almost feel like a sin.

But rest is not optional when it comes to loving our temples. It is essential for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Taking time to rest allows our bodies to recover, our minds to reset, and our spirits to draw closer to the Lord. Rest looks different for each of us, but true rest is slowing down and spending intentional, quiet time in God’s presence through prayer and His Word. Making this a daily discipline is the goal, so that our souls can be restored and we can decompress and recharge after being exposed to the mess of the world.

Loving your temple is a journey, Sis, and it starts with the foundations of discipline, peace, and rest. When you choose to care for your body, guard your peace, and prioritize rest, you are honoring God and stepping into the abundant life He has for you.

Homework: This week, pick one area (discipline, peace, or rest) and take one intentional step to strengthen it. Notice how it impacts your body, mind, and spirit.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, My God in Heaven,

Thank You for blessing me with another day. It’s because of You that I am alive and well today. Help me to see my body as sacred and worthy of care, just as You intended. May I honor You with my body, offering it as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You.

Father, teach me to care for my body with intention, grace, and faith. Help me to honor You in how I nourish, move, and rest. May discipline, peace, and rest guide my actions and my heart. Remind me that caring for my body is not about perfection, but about stewardship, worship, and love for You and for the life You’ve given me.

Lord, strengthen me when it feels hard, encourage me when I feel weary, and fill me with Your peace as I journey toward honoring the temple You have made. Let my body, mind, and spirit reflect Your goodness and love to the world around me.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scriptures to meditate on this week (Choose 1-2):

“Now this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.” (2 John 1:6)

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:1–3)