From BURNOUT to BLISSExemplo

Strengthen – Your Physical Wellness

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” – 3 John 1:2

Not everyone should be a cover model or an Olympic athlete. Not all of us could be super soldiers either. But we can all prioritize physical wellness, health, and some degree of fitness.

Men like David and Paul knew this all too well, and often used the metaphors of physical training as a parallel to our spiritual journeys (Psalm 18:32-34 & 1 Corinthians 9:24-27). These men of God likely knew that to try and separate the physical and spiritual wellness of a human being is not beneficial. They understood the importance of maintaining a strong and healthy body for their service of God.

Now the Bible does not explicitly elaborate on the importance of physical exercise too much, except where Paul reminds Timothy that it’s beneficial (1 Timothy 4:8). I believe that the writers in Biblical times did not however have to think to mention the importance of physical exercise, as it was too obvious. Almost like stating the importance of eating and staying healthy, it is so obvious and necessary that we don’t focus on having to remind people of it. And throughout the Bible we see a lot of parallels being drawn between food and nourishment, and spiritual well-being – just like we notice this same kind of parallels with training for battle or competition and spiritual growth.

For most people in Biblical times, using their strength was also a means to a necessary end, as hard labour was the order of the business day. Walking, running, climbing, and carrying heavy things were much more of a daily task than it is now. Their average guys were like our fit guys. And their fittest, would possibly put the gym rats of our day to shame. Thus, health, wellness, and fitness were a huge priority to simply survive. Likewise, in our post-modern world where work is less physical, but the stress of life is more demanding, we need to exercise, stay fit and healthy. This, then leads to the mental benefits of physical exercise as well.

Apart from exercise helping us to stay focused and mentally sharp, it also helps us feel better. The number of endorphins and dopamine released by 15-30 minutes of exercise, 3-5 days a week, equals the dosage of most daily prescribed mild antidepressants. And when we feel happier with the health and wellness God gave us in this life, it’s much easier to use these gifts for His glory.

In the time of Solomon, the Temple was the manifestation and the image of God to the people and the nations around them. Efforts were made on the Temple’s aesthetics as it represented the King of Kings (2 Chronicles 2:5-6). Today, we are God’s temple, housing the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20). Should we not also take care and furnish our temples as did Solomon? Not just keeping out the bad, such as idolatry, lust, addictions, and unhealthy or unholy habits. But also prioritizing the good, such as caring for our bodily vessels that reflect the image of a living and good God (Romans 12:1-2).

So how can you regularly strengthen your body, your health, and your wellness, to be a happy, holy, and holistic representation of the God in whose image you were created?

Read Romans 12:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and reflect on the following…

1. What is your observation(s) from today’s scriptures and devotional?

2. How will you apply what you have learned today?

3. Pray about what God’s Word and the Holy Spirit is revealing to you…