IN FOCUS - Stewarding the Temple of the Holy Spirit | KAIROS GLOBAL | JUNE 2026

Author : Florence Chakkalakkal

Title: Stewarding the Temple of the Holy Spirit 

Intro

If our bodies are tabernacles, a well-cared-for tabernacle allows us to serve the Lord until our very last breath, writes Florance Chakkalakal.

Article

In modern Christian life, we often focus on the cultivation of the soul, the study of the Word, and the service of our neighbours. Yet, there is a fundamental element of our existence that is sometimes overlooked or exiled to the realm of ‘vanity’: the physical body. We tend to view our flesh as a mere vessel, a temporary suit to be worn until we reach eternity. However, a deeper look at Scripture reveals that our bodies are far more than biological shells. They are a profound gift, a divine entrustment, and the physical landscape of our spiritual obedience. 

The cornerstone of a biblical view of health is found in Apostle Paul’s 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. In a world that often swings between the extremes of body-worship and body-neglect, this verse provides a steady, convincing anchor: 

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 honour God with your bodies.

This is not merely a suggestion for healthy living; it is a declaration of ownership. To understand the gravity of this, we must look back at the Old Testament tabernacle. It was an intricately designed space, built with the finest materials and maintained with meticulous reverence. The priests did not treat the tabernacle with indifference; they guarded its cleanliness and order because of Whose presence resided within. As believers, we are the new tabernacle. When we shift our perspective from the mirror to the Maker, we realise we aren't just ‘getting fit’ – we are preserving the Lord’s house, ensuring it remains a ready vessel for His work. 

Physical training serves as a laboratory for the cultivation of virtue, most notably the virtue of discipline. Discipline is not just a personality trait; it is a fruit of the Spirit. Scripture warns us of the danger of a life without boundaries. Proverbs 25:28 offers a sobering visual: 

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

In the ancient world, a city without walls was defenceless against passing predators. When we lack the discipline to govern our appetites or our physical activity, our ‘spiritual walls’ often begin to crumble as well. The same lack of self-control that leads us to consistent physical lethargy often bleeds into our spiritual lives, making us more susceptible to sin and distraction. Conversely, when we practice the discipline of waking early to move our bodies or choosing nutrient-dense foods over momentary cravings, we are strengthening our capacity for self-governance. We are training our spirits to say ‘no’ to the flesh and ‘yes’ to the higher calling.

Living It Out: Stewardship in the Trenches 

Understanding this truth is one thing. Living it out – especially in a full and demanding season – is another. For me, this season looks like raising three young children under the age of five. It is constant, physically demanding, and often unpredictable. For a long time, I treated the ‘trenches’ of motherhood as a valid reason to set aside my own physical health. It felt justified; there simply didn’t seem to be enough time or energy left after pouring into everyone else. 

Over time, I noticed that the exhaustion I felt wasn’t just coming from my responsibilities. It was also coming from how I was neglecting the very habits that would sustain me. Caring for young children requires immense physical capacity – lifting, carrying, bending, and staying engaged all day long. When I wasn’t taking care of my body, everything felt harder. My patience was thinner, my energy was inconsistent, and simple tasks felt overwhelming. To move from theory to stewardship, I’ve had to implement specific, practical changes: 

● Prioritising Early Movement: If I wait for the ‘right time,’ it rarely comes. Starting the day with even a short workout provides the energy and patience needed for the day. 

● Nutrition as Fuel: In a house with young kids, it is easy to graze on leftovers or convenience snacks. By prioritising protein and simple, nourishing foods, my energy stays stable rather than crashing by mid-afternoon. 

● Embracing the Possible: I’ve had to let go of the need for ‘perfect’ routines. Short workouts and small, consistent efforts are faithful stewardship, even if they aren't the long workout sessions I once enjoyed. 

However, we must also recognise that we live in a world of seasons. There are phases of life that uniquely challenge our ability to remain active and disciplined. Finding the mental space to meal plan for a busy family can be just as daunting. When the house is loud and the night is short, it is incredibly easy to remain stagnant and reach for the readily available poor choices in the pantry. It is in these specific moments of exhaustion that we must lean into a different kind of strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us: 

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Recognising our limitations isn't a failure; it is an invitation for God to step in. This year, I’ve had to stop relying on my faltering willpower and instead ask the Lord to help me navigate these hurdles. He has been faithful to provide the grace I need – the energy to get moving before the kids wake up and the wisdom to make healthy choices for our table. 

The call to stewardship does not expire as we age. In fact, maintaining physical vitality in our later years is one of the most powerful ways to remain active in the Kingdom. We often see the elderly struggle with declining mobility and frequent hospital visits, but this is a partially avoidable complication. I am encouraged when I think of the 80-year-old woman in my child’s school nursery. Despite her age, she is remarkably fit and active, having spent years running marathons and prioritising her health. Because she has remained a good steward of her body, she is still able to pour into the infants and small children, and to serve her community with a strength that defies her years. Her fitness is her ‘yes’ to God’s continued use of her life. She is living proof that a well-stewarded tabernacle allows us to serve the Lord until our very last breath. 

Ultimately, our physical stewardship is the silent liturgy of a life reclaimed by Christ. We are not just building muscles or managing calories; we are fortifying a household that honours the King, one prayerful choice at a time. This journey requires deep humility – recognising where we have fallen short and relying on the Lord for the strength to persevere – but it is a pursuit that pays dividends for eternity. We must return to the foundational truth that we are not our own. We were bought at a price – the very life of the Saviour – and in light of that infinite sacrifice, our only reasonable response is to offer our bodies back to Him as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing. So, we begin again today. We choose movement over lethargy. We choose nourishment over convenience. We choose the discipline that leads to peace, not to achieve a worldly standard, but to reflect the One to whom we belong. Choose to honour the Temple. Choose to steward the gift of your physical self, so that with every breath and every ounce of strength, you may serve the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and might.

Author Profile

Florance Chakkalakal is mother to three little angels aged 5, 3 and 1. An occupational therapist by profession, and currently a stay-at-home mom, she is married to Joseph and they live in Dallas, Texas.