As human beings, we must eat to survive. Yet as Christians, we sometimes forget that what we eat can lead to poor health conditions and diseases. There’s the saying that goes: “I thank God for giving me wisdom instead of a miracle.” Why wait until you need a miracle healing in your body when The Lord has given you wisdom to make choices now that will help prevent diseases? God has given us the precious gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and He’s also provided us with a free will to choose.
“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” 1 Corinthians 6:19
Decisions, decisions. What shall we do? For starters, let’s exercise our temple. Exercise is a form of controlled body movement that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and helps the cardiovascular system work more proficiently. When we exercise we glorify God. Nevertheless, exercise is discipline and discipline is necessary to achieve substantial health benefits.
You’ll be amazed how exercising at least three times a week can change your life. Not only would you be satisfied, but you’d look and feel great! In addition, energy is renewed, longevity occurs, weight is lost, stress level reduces, confidence increases, self-esteem improves, and muscles are strengthened.
To exercise or not, the choice is yours…
You may prefer the positive health benefits of exercise, but may not be sure where to begin. It may seem impossible to find the time to exercise and balance your daily routines. With busier schedules, we tend to invest less time taking care of our bodies. Also, with the increase of food intake that is not healthy, calories are constantly accumulating. Thankfully, it is never too late to start making choices that are beneficial to your health and wellness.
Suggestions to start with
- Pray for guidance, endurance, and persistence.
Image Compliments of 123RF - Reflect on the time of day with less distractions. Perhaps your “Me time.”
- Reserve 30 – 60 minutes for an exercise routine.
- Be consistent. In other words, don’t give up. This is called discipline.
As early as the first week, evidence of exercise is present and levels of relaxation has improved. By the third week, your endeavor is taking off to a new plateau. Exercising is refreshing and is something to look forward to. Even though four weeks may feel like a short period, physical attributes are now noticeable and your new habits are producing results with benefits.
Take a chance and commit to exercising. Here’s a few workout routines to try: jogging, swimming, weight training, hiking, yard work, brisk walks, stretches, bike riding, climbing stairs, and gym visits. As a safety precaution, consult your physician first.
An obsessive warning
It’s only natural to enjoy the transformation of body image through exercise but there is a thin line between necessary and obsession. Yes, it is necessary to exercise for health control, nonetheless, over exercising may lead to extreme workouts, fatigue, vanity, and compromises. This is called obsession.
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.” Matthew 6:24
Furthermore, as Christians, obsession is a form of serving two masters.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Romans 6:1
Exercising is a choice and is necessary to enjoy the benefits of good health.
