Exercise for More of God: The Spiritual Benefits of Physical Training

Exercise for More of God: The Spiritual Benefits of Physical Training

As Christians, we are called to steward our bodies well. Our physical health is important, not only for our well-being but also for our spiritual growth. Exercise can be a valuable discipline to invest in when done for the right reasons.

Why Exercise Matters

For many of us, exercise is seen as a luxury that we can't afford. We often feel like we don't have time for it. But the truth is, exercise is essential for our overall health and well-being. Our bodies were designed to move, and when we neglect that aspect of our health, we can suffer physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences.

Physical activity has numerous benefits for our bodies, including:

• Reducing the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer


• Improving cardiovascular health and lung function


• Strengthening bones and muscles


• Boosting mood and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety


• Improving sleep quality

But the benefits of exercise go beyond just our physical health. Exercise can also have a profound impact on our spiritual lives.

The Spiritual Benefits of Exercise

When we exercise, we are not just taking care of our bodies; we are also nurturing our souls. Here are some of the spiritual benefits of physical training:

1. Exercise can help us steward our bodies well.

As Christians, we are called to steward our bodies well. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul writes, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." When we exercise, we are taking care of the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are honoring God with our bodies by keeping them healthy and strong.

2. Exercise can help us discipline our minds.

Exercise requires discipline and focus. When we engage in physical activity, we are training our minds to stay focused on a task. This discipline can carry over into other areas of our lives, including our spiritual lives. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul writes, "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should." When we exercise, we are training our bodies and our minds to do what they should.

3. Exercise can help us overcome temptation.

When we are tempted to sin, it can be easy to give in to our desires. But when we exercise self-control in our physical training, we are strengthening our ability to resist temptation in other areas of our lives. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul writes, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." When we exercise self-control in our physical training, we are cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

4. Exercise can help us connect with God in nature.

Many forms of exercise, such as hiking, running, or biking, take us out into nature. In nature, we can experience the beauty and majesty of God's creation. We can connect with God in a deeper way as we appreciate the wonder of his handiwork. As the psalmist writes in Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

5. Exercise can help us cultivate gratitude.

When we exercise, we are often reminded of the amazing things our bodies are capable of. We can be grateful for the strength and health we have been given. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." When we cultivate gratitude in our physical training, we are living out God's will for us.

The Right Motivation

While exercise can have many spiritual benefits, it is important to have the right motivation. As Christians, our primary motivation for physical training should be to glorify God. We should seek to honor him with our bodies and use our physical health as a means to serve him better.

Our culture often promotes exercise as a means to achieve a certain body type or to fit into a certain mold. But as Christians, our motivation should be different. We should exercise to honor God with our bodies, not to conform to the world's standards.

When we exercise with the right motivation, we can experience the full benefits of physical training. We can steward our bodies well, discipline our minds, overcome temptation, connect with God in nature, and cultivate gratitude.

Conclusion

Exercise is an essential part of our overall health and well-being. As Christians, we are called to steward our bodies well and honor God with our physical health. When we exercise with the right motivation, we can experience not only physical benefits but also spiritual benefits. We can discipline our minds, overcome temptation, connect with God in nature, and cultivate gratitude. Let us strive to make physical training a regular part of our spiritual discipline, so that we can grow closer to God and be better equipped to serve him.