The Spiritual Side of Health - Exercise

Becoming what God created you to be!

Spiritual Elements of Exercise

Romans 12:1--And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

I Corinthians 6:19-20--Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you
and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought
you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

a. Recognize that you need His help.
b. Turn to God for strength, for motivation, accountability, guidance, consistency.
c. Be obedient.
d. Keep motives/perspective God-honoring.
e. Pray for support team.

Physical Elements of Exercise

Hebrews 12:11--For the time being, no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness---in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God.]

I. Improve functional strength for daily living-Focus on core strength movements
II. Improve lung capacity and heart strength through cardiovascular training
III. Improve flexibility, mobility
IV. Practice relaxation and self-massage

Questions

1. How can you apply the concept of exercise as a way to worship and honor God? How does this idea affect your perspective and motivation in working out?
2. What are ways to keep your perspective and motives God-honoring? How can your thoughts easily become manipulated?
3. What are ways you will incorporate the spiritual element of exercise into your physical routine? How will you apply the physical element of exercise into your spiritual routine?

Application

Shift your focus from working out for your own good and health, to that of worshipping God. Pay attention to how that changes the intensity and motivation behind your daily workouts.

Specifically pray for God's hand in your workout prior to working out. (ex. Pray He will help you maintain a Godly perspective, motivation, etc.)

Set a personal goal this week for exercising. Record what you will do each day on your planner and hold yourself accountable to maintain and increase your spiritual and physical endurance.

Mantra for Week:

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Psalm 16:3

Workout for Week--

Complete 3 days a week:

10 Jumping Jacks
10 Push-Ups (at wall, floor, or on knees)
10 Sit-Ups (on ball, anchored feet)
10 Tricep Dips
10 Squats

Choose to complete the entire list of exercises as many times as you can without stopping for 15 minutes....or complete the list of exercises 3 times through without stopping. Record on the fitForum how many times you make it through the list, or how long it took you to complete the 3 sets.

Cardio Exercise (1-2 days a week): Swim, Bike, Run, Jumping Jacks, Stair climbing, Elliptical, etc.

Work hard 30 seconds: go easy or rest 15 seconds...repeat 10 x without stopping. Record the distance you travel or number of reps completed during the 10 sets.