Exercise as a Spiritual Discipline

I have just finished reading a very good book, Mad Church Disease, by Anne Jackson, published by Zondervon. I highly recommend this book!

It has alot to do with the crazy cycle we get into as Christians who serve, either as a volunteer or paid staff. In the process we can lose ourselves, our physical health, our emotional health and often our relational health. It sneaks up on us, because after all, we are serving Jesus…and in serving, we expect to burn out and sometimes even pride ourselves in it. We act like burn out is a spiritual gift, hard work is expected and applauded and things like physical, emotional, spiritual and relational health are often not discussed in church circles. Doing more, or Doing great are things discussed, while the practical aspects of our physical/spiritual lives are not.

This book has gone hand in hand with what God is placing in my own heart about making sure I am honoring God in how I take care of my body. I will admit, that after several weeks of slacking on exercise and clean eating, I am finding it hard to get back on track. Why? habit.

Remember, habits are formed quickly. In just 30 days the tide can change. We must pay attention to what we do repeatedly. I read in a magazine article yesterday the reminder to eat well 90% of the time, giving yourself freedom to slack a bit…but only 10% of the time. What you eat 90% of the time is what will make the biggest difference in your life.

Author Anne Jackson says, ” Moderation is a terrible word to use when discussing things like exercise and lattes and dessert and fried chicken. The word wisdom is much more appropriate. We have become a society plagued by terrible physical health. I honestly don’t know how we live as long as we do ( maybe it’s all those preservatives!). We eat when we’re not hungry. we seldom exercise. WE are convinced we’re caffeinated robots who can thrive on four hours of sleep a night.”

Today’s Truth 1 Timothy 4:8

“Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

This verse does not dismiss exercise, it actually says it has some value. The New Testament frequently references athletic training as a discipline that parallels spiritual discipline.

I used to exercise alot when I was younger. I became a bit of an aerobics fiend back in the days of Jane Fonda’s aerobics craze. I also walked alot…and I mean alot. But, once I became a single parent it became hard to fit any of that in. I let exercise slip from my life, dusting off my workout shoes from time to time, but for the most part… NOT!

Exercise to me was about having a good figure, and little about honoring God. I didn’t realize it was a discipline that would be “taking care of” my body. In the same way I change the oil in my car and have tune ups…exercise is keeping my body in working order. Funny thing is, when diagnosed with lung problems a few years ago, a respitoray therapist told me that exercise was to increase lung function and heart health, as well as keep the muscular system strong. Never did this guy mention a size 6! I have to admit, I had always looked at exercise as a sister to dieting, and never did it unless I was on a diet or wanting to wear a smaller size. But, all bodies need to be tuned up, exercised, stretched and worked a bit each day…to keep us functioning for God at our optimal level.

How about you? Is exercise part of your life? Brushing your teeth is…shouldn’t exercise be? Well, just food for thought…now I have to end today’s blog to get on the treadmill before I go to work.  I have promised receipes this week, so I will add one at the end. Send me your healthy receipes and I will post on the blog.

Today’s Prayer

Father, help me to see the big picture of honoring you. Give me the grace, conviction and strength to do what I can do, trusting you with what only you can do.

Southwest Easy-Oven Chicken- 6 servings 241 cal each ( 4 pts ww)

• 1 Cup chicken broth
• One 15 oz cn black beans rinsed and drained
• One 15 oz can of red kidney beans rinsed and drained
• 3/4 c. mild salsa
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/ 2 tsp salt
• 1 lb boneless chicken breast cut into 2 ” pieces.

350 oven, 13×9 baking pan

combine the broth, beans salsa and garlic in pan. add the chicken and baste with liquid.

Bake stirring once until the chicken is cooked through and the liquid is reduced, about 45 min.

Good with a green salad. Can be used with high fiber or low carb tortillas, as a wrap, or burrito, or just on the side.

No time to Cook? Try the of of Progresso’s Soups that are marked on the front label with the weight watchers 0-2 point value. They are delicious, especially in these colder days. And, a food taster who is very slim told me that vegetable soup actually helps her stay healthy, given that she has to eat many rich foods in her tasting jobs. So, try adding low calorie/low point soups into your day, it will save you up to 500 cal for the meal you choose to make soup, or if dinner, soup and salad.