Have you ever googled “workout motivation”?
Oh, I have. I sometimes wish that motivation was something I
could bottle up and take a big gulp of. I want to WANT to work out, but
sometimes I just don’t. Know what I mean?
I want all that comes with exercise. I want to feel good, I
want the health benefits and I want to like the way I look in my clothes. I want the stress
relief that it promises. The endorphins. I want to BE fit. But, you know, I don’t
always want to do what it takes to be fit.
They say motivation doesn’t last, and that’s true. That is why
exercise has to become a habit in your life. You have to be disciplined. There
is no getting around that. There is no easy button. But, there are some nudges
that can be found if we look for them.
I am always inspired by the busiest people I know who are
also the most fit. Active moms being one example of this demographic, I wrote
about them a while back during the craziness of 2020 (that blog post can be found
here http://myonedayisnow.blogspot.com/2020/05/we-do-hard-things-active-moms-share.html)
They shared some awesome inspiration for what keeps them
going, and I love what each of them had to say. But I feel there may be even more to
this whole physical fitness thing than what we know about it on the surface. Exercise
can be spiritual. If I’m being honest, I think that we were made for more than
hating our bodies for our entire lives. We were made in God’s image - are we
living in this truth? Goodness, I want to
be. Every day. And I have found some motivation to work on being physically fit
in the best book ever.
1 Corinthians 6:13
Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God
will do away with both the one and the other. The body, however, is not for
immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.
* The body is for the Lord! And the Lord is for the body. If you
have an able body and CAN go for a walk right now, recognize what a gift that
is. And then go walk. Or run. Or swim. You get the drift.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy
Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For
you have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.
* Honestly, this one could be it and then mic drop. It’s
enough to remember that we are commanded to glorify God with our bodies. TAKE
CARE OF YOURSELF. This is a commandment of love. He wants for you to be helping
your body and not hurting your body. How are you doing this? Be honest with
yourself.
Ephesians 5:29
For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and
cherishes it, even as Christ does the church.
* How are you “nourishing and cherishing” your body?
Romans 12:1
I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to
offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your
spiritual worship.
* "Holy and pleasing to God" – I thought about this after my
little 30 minute You Tube workout today. I am thankful to Him for the ability
to move today. I am choosing to thank Him for the gift of an able body by
moving it.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
everything for the glory of God.
* Everything means everything! Including your physical
fitness. Say a prayer asking for the motivation and opportunity to be healthy
today. Then give Him thanks after.
Psalm 139:14
I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are
your works!
* He made you so wonderfully. Walk in that truth today and
every day.
Isaiah 40:31
They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength,
they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk
and not grow faint.
* I know that you are tired. I am too. He will give you rest
when you ask for it. He will also give you strength when you ask for it. He
made you to be strong. Don’t let the world tell you otherwise because the world
is a liar.
Galatians 5:22-23
In contrast, the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against
such there is no law.
* Another big lie is that we have no self-control. The truth
is even without motivation you are capable to get up and do hard things. You
can do this because you were gifted self-control. Remember this always!
Being active looks different for everyone, but if you haven’t
been living an active lifestyle I hope this encourages you to do so today. I
haven’t had a gym membership in over a year but I choose to do quick YouTube
workouts on my lunch breaks. Feel free to post in the comments what you like to
do to remain active. You never know who is looking for a new idea.
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