Health & Fitness - Scripture Motivation

Something knew in my life is a desire to live a more healthful lifestyle . . . to eat right, train hard, and be strong physically as well as emotionally and spiritually.  I've thought a lot about what drives this desire.  Is it vanity?  mid-life crisis?  right/wrong?

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So, I've been thinking about motivation in life . . . what moves me to do what I do and to be who I am.

Motivation is key to just about every area of life.  Often the "what you do" is not nearly as important as the "why you do."  Of course what you do is important, but why you do what you do is key.  You can do something wonderful, yet with the wrong motivation (selfish or otherwise).  If so, the importance or meaning/value of what you did is diminished greatly.  Without the right motivation, you can end up doing the "right" thing for all the wrong reasons.

What's the source of your motivation?  internal?  external? . . . yes, both please.  Motivation comes in many ways . . . thoughts, words (spoken & written), experiences, music, visual.

As a man who strives to follow God, one of the greatest sources of strength and encouragement for me is found through the scriptures.  God's Word is THE key motivating factor for living.  It provides the "why" for my "what" in every area of life . . . or at least it should.  We have been "granted everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us."  [see II Peter 1:3]

If this is true, then when it comes to health and fitness . . . is there scriptural motivation for this lifestyle change?

Here are some thoughts:

The concept of physical and athletic training has its metaphorical place in Scripture. Whether through Paul's comparison of the discipleship journey to a race or the understanding that intense training and discipline produces strength and endurance.

While the scriptures I'm about to share will be removed from their original context, I do believe that they are a great source of motivation and encouragement from God's word.

 

At least they are to me and I hope they are to you . . .

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1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." [see my blog post on Temple Building for more thoughts on this]

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Psalm 73:26

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

1 Timothy 4:8
"Bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

1 Corinthians 9:24-25
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.  They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

Colossians 3:23-24

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve"

Hebrews 12:11-12

"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards its yields the peaceful fruit of Righteousness.  Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble."

Isaiah 40:29-31

"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."

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The Key to it all is balance.  Health and fitness, like just about any worldly pursuit, can be taken to the extreme and even become addictive or idolatrous.  Thus, it is always best to check your motivation.  Let all things be done for the glory of God.  "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory . . ."  [Psalm 115:1].

 

 

Seth Lawson, Worship Minister, Gateway Christian Church, www.gcch3.com