The topic of physical fitness is tricky, dangerous, and delicate. It’s a road with lots of land mines because not all bodies are made the same and everyone’s journey is different. Some of us have been affected by addictions, injuries, age, disability, sickness or emotional trauma. So why am I tackling it? Because I love you. Because one of the most compassionate things we can do as leaders is speak about difficult and unpopular topics. We want the best for those we care about, in all areas. – spiritual, emotional, mental and physical.
So I want you to remember that this post has nothing to do with body image. Instead, it has everything to do with our sense of purpose, urgency, intentionality and motivation related to the care of our body. The Apostle Paul speaks with the kind of urgency, intentionality and motivation that I am talking about.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after.1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Regardless of what difficulties are in our life, I believe that we should pursue the most fit version of ourselves as possible. For some of us, that challenge is a painful consideration.
“We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing” Dr Henry Cloud
- Does my level of physical activity glorify God and increase my usability for His purposes?
- Does my food intake (quantity & quality) glorify God and increase my usability for His purposes?
- Do I have a healthy “Gospel Filter” in this area of my life?
- Do I understand my worth is not based on my image but on the way Christ made me and loves me?
A few leads on better health resources from a Christian perspective:
- My True Reflections by CVC’s Woman’s Ministry Director – LeighAnne Brisbin *available at the CVC info counter
- Everybody Matters by Gary Thomas
- Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst