Peace OVER Coconuts

I know that I created this blog with the intention of helping others become healthier through sharing my own experiences and what I’ve learned through all of the ups and downs of my journey. That is clearly incredibly important to me and I am so thankful for the amazing difference it has made in my life. However, I got to thinking about how much focus I put on the “coconuts” aspect of everything and how I haven’t spent quite as much time dealing with just how important the “peace” part is of it all is. Actually they’re not even close to equal with each other. A peaceful life is 100 times more important than a healthy one. Though I personally feel that they go hand in hand, there is absolutely no substitute for peace. You can live a good life without perfect health, but without joy and peace health means nothing.

But here is the thing- being healthier has BROUGHT me more peace. That may sound cliche, but it really makes sense when you think about it. When I was eating whatever I wanted, I felt happy in the moment but would end the day feeling gross, frustrated with myself, and altogether unhealthy with a myriad of health problems. Now I feel confident that what I eat (and what I put on/in my body in any way!) is going to nourish and heal my body, and at the end of the day I will feel satiated and know that I’ve done all I can to be in control of my health. That gives me peace. Instead of feeling cheated because I didn’t eat that brownie or drink a bottle of coke, I feel content with the fact that I ate food I love that is actually healthy!

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So that’s why sharing what I’ve learned is important to me. Not simply because I love feeling healthier and want you guys to experience that with me, but because I want you to experience peace, and I know that taking care of ourselves the way we were created to helps to bring that peace.

The Bible is filled with instructions on caring for ourselves, not overindulging, and not focusing on earthly things. It should be so simple to just not eat unhealthy things! Why does it have to be so hard for us to do? We’re human beings, and we’re selfish. We like to do what makes us happy, regardless of long term consequences. That’s why these loving instructions from my Father keep me focused on the goal.

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. – Philippians 3:19

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. – Proverbs 25:16

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. – Romans 13:14

So there you go. Indulging in earthly things does nothing for us. At the end of the day, what does it benefit? Our bodies are created for a purpose, and it’s not to simply eat food. So why not treat them with as much care and protection as we can so that we are able to live out the lives we were made to live and do the things that actually do matter? Living healthy isn’t the goal, but it’s a great way to get there. We can’t damage our bodies and expect to be able to use them to their fullest potential. We have one opportunity to fulfill the plans that we were created for, and I sure don’t want to be responsible for limiting myself by making myself weak and sick. Being healthy brings me peace because I know I’m putting the ultimate goal above a slice of unhealthy, packaged (albeit completely delicious) chocolate cake. So now, I just whip up my healthy homemade chocolate cake, sit down with my coffee with coconut milk, and feel peace that I’m nourishing my family with the kinds of foods we were designed to eat. Then we can wake up each day ready to focus on how we can bring more joy to this world, and not worried about our own physical problems.

Whether you believe the words I quoted from the Bible or not, all I can tell you is from my own experience, and I know that nothing has brought me more peace than trying to live out the things I read in it and follow the example that was given to me through it. I’m so glad that I have a purpose and a chance at this whole life thing, and I don’t want a lack of self control to cause me to mess it up in any way. That’s why I’m so determined to live a healthy, coconut filled life and experience the beautiful peace that has seemed to come with it.

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3 Comment

  1. a friend from Connect says: Reply

    This is speaking to me! Thank you for posting this. I have been needing the spiritual kick in the pants to realize that my physical state of unhealthiness is not just my own “pet.” I needed to be reminded how much of me is owed to God, and that I am, as you say, “created with a purpose, and it’s not just to eat food.” So if my purpose is not my own pleasures – what is it? I haven’t paused to think about that in a long time. As a follower of Jesus, I know what my purpose SHOULD be, but I often find myself in reality far from the ideal. But I’m tired of feeling tired, and weary of being subject to my own whims and to the “Lord Sugar.” I am ready to press in and press on. Again, thank you!

    1. KelseyHodge says: Reply

      I love this. Believe me, this blog is absolutely speaking to myself too! It’s so hard to remember sometimes, but so worth it. It’s definitely a process that Jesus has really had to lead me through and I sometimes completely screw it up! Keeping these kinds of scriptures in mind has really helped me to stay focused on the most important thing. God’s Word is so good in more ways than I can say!

  2. […] Meet Kelsey! Our family had the privilege of meeting Kelsey (and her amazing family) and become an acquaintance of theirs through a mutual Bible study group. Kelsey and her husband, Craig, own/operate a very successful photography business, and Kelsey is also the voice behind the super cute blog Peace and Coconuts. Today, you’ll get to read a snippet of one of her most recent, and heart touching posts, Peace OVER Coconuts. […]