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Exercise:  Just Do It!

 

1 Timothy 4:7-8 - …exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

 

I remember seeing a t-shirt years ago that was being worn by an individual who was obviously overweight and out of shape.  Written on the front with sarcasm and for the sake of humor were the following words, “I’m in no shape to exercise!”  Implied was the notion that the only way to get “in shape” is to exercise!

 

EXERCISE!  The doctor and the Bible agree!  We all need it, but we often avoid it!  It is much easier to “opt out” and we usually feel justified when we do not make it our priority.  However, it is encouraging these days to see how many individuals are assuming personal responsibility for their health. Of course, no one else can do it for us!  New years resolutions often include a new determination to submit to disciplines that produce positive results in our bodies.  

 

Let me here commend everyone who is “sucking it up,” choosing the high road, pushing yourself when you truly don’t feel like it, and doing your best to be proactive in this area of your life.  Exercise is not always easy, but rare is the case when you don’t feel like the effort is worth it!  Discipline is necessary, consistency is key, and the results are always rewarding!  

 

Let me also encourage you!  Stick with the diet, stay on the program, don’t give up, go for it, you can do it, be the best you can be, hang in there, keep your head up, do it anyway, grin and bear it, stay with it, and utterly refuse to surrender!  “No pain, no gain” is a truthful adage!  The discipline will be worth the difference!

 

The benefits of better physical health are far-reaching.  When our bodies respond and function properly, we tend to feel better emotionally, and our lives usually become far more productive overall. 

 

But let us understand clearly what the scripture is suggesting.  “Exercise thyself rather unto godliness!”  Bodily exercise is good and “it profiteth a little,” but putting forth the same kind of effort for spiritual development and health is even better!  We all know that discipleship requires discipline.  Spiritual formation and progress is always intentional and is never easy.  Give attendance to reading, be fervent in spirit, cast your cares on the Lord, study to show yourself approved, pray the prayer of faith, encourage one another, and trust in the Lord, are all Biblical admonitions.  These actions are “spiritual exercises” that will inevitably produce positive results in this life and ultimately prepare us for eternal life to come!  Again, the discipline is worth the difference! We need to “work out” what God is “working in!”

 

Let’s do it!  Let’s choose not to be lazy!  Let’s conquer indifference! Let’s get in shape… physically, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually!  EXERCISE is the answer! Do it for your health, do it for your family, do it for your body, do it for your mind, and do it for your soul!

 

YOU can do it!  “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)