A Lesson on Spiritual and Physical Nourishment

“What are we eating?” is a question my kids ask frequently. When it’s something they enjoy, the answer is met with excitement; but when it’s not, it’s sometimes met with tears. On those occasions, I take a moment to explain the reason behind the food choice and its nutritional value. They’re curious about how nutrients benefit their bodies.

What we eat plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, which is why we need to be intentional about our food choices. While we often pay close attention to what we put into our mouths, we must also be intentional about what we allow into our hearts and minds. Our hearts, souls, and bodies feast on what we let in through our senses—and that can significantly influence the direction of our lives.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)

What are you watching, reading, and listening to? What kind of company do you keep? I consider all these things to be nourishment, and they shape who we become—slowly, over time. Just as feeding on healthy meals promotes physical well-being, feeding on the right things spiritually, mentally, and emotionally nurtures our minds and souls. The opposite is also true: feeding on the wrong things can have detrimental effects.

“Do not be deceived: evil company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33, KJV)

Envision who you want to become in the coming months and years and begin feeding on what you need to get there. Prioritize guarding your space and the influences around you. Surround yourself with people who share the same goals and values as you.

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20, NKJV)

“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17, NKJV)

Just as unhealthy foods are often the most appealing, sometimes the very things we should avoid are the most alluring. It can be a struggle to make the right choices, but we must strive to do so.

In this era where we are bombarded with an endless stream of information, opportunities, and unprecedented access to people, we have to be intentional about what we allow into our hearts and homes. So, I’ll ask again: What are you eating?