Sometimes I hate my body. I don’t mean the way I look, but all the ways it doesn’t work. Since I was young, I’ve struggled with dust and pollen allergies. There are days I wonder why my body can’t just deal with such ordinary things. I have hypothyroidism, which means my thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of its chemical for me to function as a normal human being. Instead, I’m dependent on taking a pill containing a synthetic version of the chemical first thing every morning. Then I began having all kinds of stomach issues, till I wondered if I’d ever get better. Eventually I discovered my food allergies. Oh, how I wish my body could process wheat, milk, and eggs like everyone else. Now I have autoimmune issues. That’s when an immune system becomes confused and attacks healthy tissue.

            There’s a cartoon I like to watch where the villain always curses the hero after being defeated, except in one episode, when he tries to use plants but has an allergic reaction, and cries out, “Curse you, inadequate immune system!” Between my allergies and autoimmune issues, I feel that line in the depths of my soul. Right now I’m dealing with an autoimmune skin disease. So, basically, not even my skin can be bothered to work correctly.

            Often, it’s easy for us to see all the ways the body of Christ doesn’t work correctly. We see the problems. We see the ways we act like an autoimmune disease and hurt each other. Many people look at the body of Christ, and they hate it.

            Then we think Jesus feels the same way. I hear people give excuses for why Jesus hates His body all the time. They say that Jesus always hated religious people. I hear about hypocrites, judgementalness, and prideful leaders – all the things Jesus spoke against. We don’t love people or preach the Gospel like He commanded us.

            I’ve heard every reason why Jesus would walk away from His Church, but Jesus isn’t like me. He doesn’t hate His body. Even when we don’t work the way we’re supposed to, He loves us. The Bible says He cares for us and nurtures us. He died for us and redeemed us. He could never hate us.

            We love to talk about how Jesus will spit Laodicia out of His mouth, but forget that He is knocking on their door, still wanting to eat with them. People say, “If you’re far from God, it’s you who moved,” but forget how He pursues His lost sheep. Jesus wants us to change and be more effective at being His body, the image of Him here on earth. He will do what it takes to change us, and sometimes that will be uncomfortable, even painful, but it’s not the same as abandoning us.

            On the days I’m most frustrated, I may complain that I hate my body, but I know that’s a hyperbole. The truth is that I do what’s necessary to take care of it and deal with my health issues. I take my medications and deny myself food I’m allergic to. Jesus knows much better what His body needs, and I guarantee He has a better attitude about it than I do.