A little exercise or a lot of exercise
A little exercise or a lot of exercise
Everywhere you turn there seem to be differing opinions on what kind of exercise we should be doing and how long we should be doing it. Yikes, the list goes on and on. It's mentally exhausting. If only the mental workout we get would translate into physical, maybe we would be a bit more healthier. Or, maybe it would be to much? I don't know anymore.
I think we can at least agree that some exercise for our body is better than nothing. But there is more to just how we look or even how clear and clean our arteries are. 1 Timothy 4:8a declares - "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things..." The benefits of exercising our bodies are limited because one day these bodies will cease to exist. However, the eternal spirit within these physical bodies will last forever. That means our spirit within needs exercise, and there is no debate here, our spirit needs a lot of exercise.
Spiritual exercise is not easy (what exercise is?). Before you start a physical exercise program you first have to want to do it. Second, you need to study and learn what to do. Third, you do it. Well, spiritual exercise is the same way. First, we have to want to grow spiritually stronger and want to live the life God has given us the means to live through His righteousness. Second, we need to read the Bible and learn what the righteousness of God is and how best to implement and apply it to our daily lives. Third, we need to do it; actually make our ourselves do it.
As you know exercise is not just a one time event, its an ongoing event to achieve health. When we spiritually exercise we do it long term for the spiritual health. So, hop on the spiritual treadmill and start exercising by first, wanting to, second, learning, and third, doing. You'll be spiritually healthier and one day when you stand before the living God you will be grateful for the long-term benefits of your spiritual health. But even now while on this earth you will see major improvements in your ability to withstand trials, hold back anger and frustration, and most importantly, you will develop further in your relationship with God which will motivate you more to keep exercising.
If you're looking for a good devotional, here's one I think you might like. I wrote it a few years back.
Comments
Post a Comment