There are several times of the year, in which we assess our physical health.  Just before summer is a big one.  That fear of getting into that our swim suit for the first time.   Of course there are New Year’s resolutions each year.  Maybe there is an important event, such as a wedding or re-union coming up and you want to make a great impression.  The driving element of those assessments or reboots, is typically our appearance.  Our vanity often drives us to move toward getting in better shape.  I’m not suggesting that’s not good, but it may not be enough.

Perhaps you’ve come from a recent check-up from your physician and discovered you’re now pre-diabetic or your cholesterol numbers are not optimal.  This may move us past our vanity and into thinking about changing our diet and implementing exercise for our health.  I consider, striving for better health is a deeper reason to move toward making the proper changes in our lifestyle or habits.  But if we want to go deeper in our “why” to be healthier, check this out.  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.”  That puts your “why get into shape” at another level.  From physical to spiritual! If it remains just a physical struggle, we will all fail or fall short.  That can be dangerous, because, that continued failure will promote an attitude of acceptance toward that lack of success in our fitness and health pursuit.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop with you, your habits will spill over to your family’s health via their habits.

We’ve heard it been said, “bad genes, bad germs, bad luck, bad health.”  Now there is certainly some truth to that, but let’s not forget that bad habits are a huge contributing factor to our health.  As you’ve probably discovered, developing new good habits to replace the old ones is not an easy task.  Fortunately, as followers of Christ, we have access to the fruit of the spirit: Love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, patience and self-control.  This struggle to transform our health and fitness should not be fought only physically.  Acknowledge your weakness, or lack of self-control and put that struggle on the alter.  Believe it or not, a lot of products we consume, which are bad for us, are also addicting.  That strengthens that habit, to where we almost need supernatural help to change it.  That’s where a prayerful surrendering of that struggle comes in.  Another great thing about asking God for help in this area, is as you succeed, He gets that glory.  Glorify God thru your fitness and health journey.