How Fitness Is Honoring God with Your Body
Spiritual Life
Audio By Carbonatix
11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 15
By Carrie Lowrance, Spiritual Life
We all know that our body is a temple and we're supposed to keep it in tip-top shape. However, with our busy lives, it's hard to get those workouts in. Sometimes we just don't feel like it. Still, it's important for us to take care of our bodies; it also impacts our mental and spiritual health. They interconnect. When we think about it, staying fit is a way of honoring God with our bodies. Here are some ways we can do this.
The Biblical Foundation of Caring for the Body
We live in a society that often considers physical fitness to be secondary to spiritual wellness. Many believers are exploring the connection between physical wellness and spiritual wellness. Our Bibles tell us that caring for our bodies is a reflection of our relationship with God.
Here are some biblical principles referring to our bodies:
The Body as a Temple: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) says: "Don't you realize 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."
Stewardship of Creation: Genesis 1:27 (NLT) says: "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
Seeing Your Body as a Temple
The Bible says that the Holy Spirit dwells in our bodies, which are not our own because we were bought for a price. Genesis tells us that God created us in his own image. These two principles show us that one, we are not just flesh and bones, and two, bodily actions reflect one's faith and devotion to God. Therefore, taking care of our bodies is a spiritual act of worship, which reinforces that taking care of ourselves is not about aesthetics; it's about honoring God.
Other Biblical Principles of Health include:
Nutrition: Understanding that we need to eat healthy and be more conscious of what we eat and how it affects us, not just our weight but also considering energy levels, mood, and mental clarity.
Exercise and Activity: Exercise keeps us healthy, but it's also a way to grow spiritually. It provides time alone with God to talk to Him, either silently (if we are in a class with others) or out loud during a walk or run.
Mental and Spiritual Health: The mental aspects of our health are just as important as the physical, so stress management, mental health support, and practices such as meditation and prayer can contribute to a healthier mind.
Rest and Restoration: Getting enough sleep and relaxing through activities we love is just as important to our well-being as the other points on this list.
Physical Health and Spiritual Wellness: The Connection
There is a connection between physical health and spiritual wellness. In our fast-paced world, we compartmentalize our lives into segments like work, relationships, hobbies, etc. We realize that these facets are interconnected.
Understanding the Relationship Between Physical Health and Spiritual Wellness:
Physical health: It's more than just not being sick; this includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and preventative healthcare. Our bodies need to perform daily activities with vigor and resilience.
Spiritual wellness: This aspect involves our sense of purpose, meaning, and connection to something higher than ourselves. It can come through things like prayer, reading our Bible, talking to God, nature, and meditation. Spiritual wellness encourages us to seek harmony in our lives, often leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The Connection:
Improved mental clarity: Regular exercise enhances cognitive function, allowing us to think more clearly. This can lead to better decision-making and improved emotional stability. When our minds are clear, we can focus more on spiritual practices.
Emotional balance: Exercise boosts mood and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. The release of endorphins during exercise creates a sense of euphoria and well-being. A balanced emotional state opens our hearts to introspection and a greater appreciation of God.
Creating space for reflection: Engaging in exercise gives us time for self-reflection. Whether it's yoga or running, recurring in these exercises allows our minds to wander and reflect deeply. This space for contemplation can lead to spiritual insights and connections, drawing us closer to God.
Community and connection: Exercising with a group of believers can draw us closer to our fitness goals, God, and each other.
The Role of Discipline and Self-Control in Fitness
We live in a world where we want instant gratification. Sadly, with fitness, we know it doesn't happen overnight. To reach our goals, discipline and self-control are necessary.
What Is Discipline?
Discipline is the ability to control oneself and make choices that result in desirable outcomes, which often requires sacrifice and determination. With fitness, this manifests as going to the gym, watching what we eat, and having resilience to overcome obstacles, regardless of whether it's temptation, fatigue, or self-doubt.
What Is Self-Control?
Self-control is the ability to resist short-term temptations in favor of long-term benefits. When trying to reach fitness goals, this may mean saying no to unhealthy foods, committing to a regular exercise schedule, and maintaining motivation when things get challenging.
Discipline is at the core of any fitness journey. If we don't have it, our fitness aspirations can fizzle and die. Some fitness-related aspects of discipline include:
-Consistency
-Goal Setting
-Time Management
-Mindset
Biblical Teachings on Discipline and Self-Control
The Bible has many teachings about discipline and self-control.
-The Fruits of the Spirit
-Prizing Stewardship
-Perseverance Through Trials
-Discipleship and Training
These things go hand in hand to help us not only learn about discipline and self-control, but also to put them into action.
Fitness as an Act of Worship
Our fitness routines can also be an act of worship. This can be a time for you to worship and talk to God as you work to improve yourself. Some ways to do this include:
Set your intentions: Ask yourself what you want to gain physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually from your workout. (Ex: I honor God and my body when I take part in this fitness routine or With each breath I welcome strength and call on the Holy Spirit to guide me.)
Incorporate affirmations: Affirmations can help us cultivate a more positive mindset, regardless of where we are in our fitness journey. Things like, "God made me strong, capable, and worthy," or "Every fitness session is a blessing.”)
Mindful movement: Pay attention to how your body feels as you exercise, be present, and appreciate the effort you are putting in to help your body grow stronger.
Gratitude: As you move, thank the Lord for being able to move your body and all the other things you are grateful for in your life.
Prayerful Breathing: Either before you begin or during your cool down, practice prayerful breathing. Close your eyes, breathe deep, and give your thanks to God.
Community and Accountability in Faith-Based Fitness
A person shouldn't embark on a fitness journey alone. Community is key to keeping us focused and accountable. Here are some reasons it's better to work out with a group of friends or in a class setting.
Spiritual motivation: Recognizing that our body is a temple is a powerful principle that will help keep us motivated to get healthier.
Community engagement: Faith-based fitness fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie among participants. No matter how big or how small, you belong. These communities offer a supportive environment where members cheer for one another, celebrate each other, and pray for each other.
Building supportive networks: Accountability stems from communal engagement, which enhances motivation and commitment. You may even meet some new friends, growing your personal support network.
Inspiring Others: Sharing Your Fitness Journey
Sharing your fitness journey can be a way to encourage those who are just starting their fitness journey. Here are some ways to help you get started.
-Start with your why
-Share your struggles and triumphs
-Share the lessons you have learned
-Have a clear call to action
Ways to Share Your Journey:
-Start your own blog or vlog
-Social media
-Local community engagement
-Podcasts
This is a great way to help people and honor God.
There are many ways we can use our bodies and fitness to honor God, from maintaining our own well-being in all areas of our lives to helping others on their fitness journeys. By doing these things, we honor God and ourselves, leading to happier, healthier, more productive lives—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Related Articles:
7 Biblical Truths to Keep You Motivated to Move
The Meaning Behind "Your Body Is a Temple" & 5 Things You Should Be Doing
5 Ways to Glorify God through Your Fitness Routine
11 Biblical Ideas for Mind, Body, and Soul Fitness after 50
Can Christians Do Yoga Without Compromising Their Faith?
Daniel Strong 40-Day Fitness Challenge
Carrie Lowrance is a freelance writer and author. She has had her work featured on Crosswalk, iBelieve, Huffington Post, and the Penny Hoarder. She is also the author of three children’s books, three clean romance books, one romance novella, three books of poetry, and one non-fiction book. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and baking, reading, and hanging out with her husband, and sweet cat, Cupcake. You can find out more about Carrie and her writing at www.carrielowrance.com.
