This post is written by contributing writer, Sarah.
The sun is starting to bring color back to the dusk colored world around her. Breath in Breath out. Her body moves with the grace of a being created to run. Each part of her moves fluidly with a perfect rhythm. Breath in Breath out. Just her and the run; just her and her God. Pop!
Now that my running daydream has ended, let me tell what I am really like when running. She looks at the sun rising and thinks, I should have got up earlier, this is going to be hot! Gasping for air, her feet plod ever so slowly on the pavement. Thump, Thump, Heave, Heave, Gasp. When will this torture end? Is it time to walk? Lord! Why is this so hard?
Obviously I am not a runner, but I am trying to learn ever so slowly and painfully. It’s not that I’m not athletic. I have just never been trained how to become a runner and have fun with it, but it is something I want to do now and am starting to enjoy.
Why, Sarah? Why put yourself through the torture? Well it’s quite simple. Sitting on the couch and becoming out-of-shape and unhealthy is affecting my ability to bring glory to God. Of course, I would be lying if I did not tell you a small, vain part of myself wants to bask in the sun of my me-monster moment and look good. When it really comes down to the nitty gritty though, I want to be fit so I look good for my husband and so I have the energy to do God’s will.
When I am overweight, I feel awful. Apathy creeps in and tells me I’m too tired to do anything but sleep or sit, and because I do nothing I get depressed, which causes me to eat unhealthily, which causes me to be overweight, and the cycle continues. I want to break this cycle and have the energy needed to do God’s will in my life.
I would never say that my physical shape is more important than my spiritual shape. Paul warns against this in 1 Timothy 4:8:
“Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next” (NLT).
I do not think Paul is telling us that exercise is not important. He is telling us that physical exercise is not as important as exercising our faith, since physical exercise brings a reward only for this life on Earth.
I get up almost every morning at 5ish to do a devotional, but I found that when I am not exercising, I struggle to get up and spend time with God. So, I think that finding a balance between the two is vital, and I need to constantly remind myself that I am not exercising for the world, since “charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord with be greatly praised (Proverbs 31:30,NLT). But I am exercising for God, since our bodies are a temple not for ourselves but for the Holy Spirit within us.
“Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NLT)
I may not be pretty out there, but I hope that eventually I might get the hang of this running thing and get both my body and spirit whipped into shape!
How about you? Is there a type of exercise you are discovering you love? Do you find that it gives you more energy throughout the week? Maybe you are finding it hard to get started? Let us know, we would love to hear your thoughts or encourage you through your struggles.
This post is linked to Time Warp Wife and Women Living Well.
About Sarah
Oh Sarah- I will keep you in my prayers. Just a word of encouragement… I am not athletic either and when I finally decided to get in shape (not to lose weight but to be able to go up and down steps to do laundry and not be out of breath) I decided to run. I felt like a spastic case- uncoordinated, feet slapping pavement un-gracefully… shin splints, hurting lungs….( I am smiling while remembering all of this “torture”) But, I finally got the hang of it and i did feel so much better. Keep us posted. Ask for prayer.
Thanks for the post Alison and your openness! It is great to hear I’m not the only one that struggles
I just got back from a three week vacation with family and feel just awful. It is amazing what little you have to do to put yourself back at square one! But just reading all of your encouraging posts makes me want to pop out of my rut and run!
Sarah…I am right there with you! I have been feeling and thinking exactly the same things
I will pray for you when I am praying for myself!
Thank you Michelle! I will pray for you too.
Never commented before, but a post about athletic stuff can always inspire a comment, especially since I think I own the same brand of shoes:) Have you heard about the run/walk method? It is a good way to ease into running (basically run for a minute, walk for a minute, or any time length). If you are having issues with soreness I would recommend a foam roller. I’d also be careful to add in some strength-training moves; I abandoned any leg strengthening moves and ended up injuring myself pretty badly. I now do more weight training than running (due to injuries and I can eat so much more:) and am currently in love with my suspension trainer and kettlebells. Before doing my weight routine I read my Bible, drink my coffee, etc. It’s a wonderful way to start the day.
Happy running!
Rebecca thanks for your post! That is exactly what I’ve been doing. For about 30 minutes three times a week I’ve been slowly going from more walking to more running. I’m also doing selected workouts from a video collection I have for strength training, which are helping! Also, stretching is a must.
Post thougt….I just had to get new shoes, and the lady fitting me said that I was wearing shoes that were a half-size too small. No wonder I was in so much pain!!! I shaved one and a half minutes off my mile with my new shoes! I guess shoes really are important
Hahahaha!!! Oh so funny! Love it!
This post is SO timely!! I love how the Lord does that, and THANK YOU for sharing! My ears have been ITCHING to hear from the Lord in this area of being overweight and you hit the nail on the head in this post in so many ways, but especially the APATHY part. I just felt conviction about why I just want to sit around and not really do much of anything … even though I have a busy 4-yr-old and stay home with him – it’s really due to my weight. I went through part of a program last year but didn’t finish and now I want to go back to it. It’s called “The Lord’s Table”, an incredible online bible study that puts this area of life in the biblical perspective. They also connect you with a prayer/accountability partner as you do the lessons online. (Here’s the link in case any readers are interested http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/courses/lords-table/)
I joined the YMCA a few years ago and have been in a rut where I’m only getting in once or twice a week … then I just found a video program to try and I loved it. Leslie Sansone’s WALK AT HOME videos which I found at our library. She is very down to earth and motivating and now I have a new workout plan.
I really see how the Lord is calling me to surrender this area fully to Him, to eat well and keep in shape physically as ways to honor Him. Bless you for all your hard work!! I hope to hear more from you as you continue!
(I blog at http://musingsofthemonroefamily.blogspot.com)
Tracey isn’t it amazing how our God knows what we need to hear and that we need each other! I’m just coming off a 3 week vacation with family and am in a small rut myself. Reading how encouraged you all are by my post is helping so much! Thank you for the great links
Now that this 109 degree weather is ending, I hope to get back out there.
This is so well written and expresses exactly how I feel on this topic. I always feel “self-conscious” when exercising – especially running – but I know that God’s design for my health includes being fit. I feel this is an area I will always be growing and struggling through but I know that with my focus on the real reason for being fit and the eternal perspective…I will make it through each day. Thank you again for your encouragement when I need it most!
You are not alone. We are all growing and struggling right along with you. I’m glad you were encouraged. God’s grace is sufficient, my friend!
Heather I am glad that your were encouraged! I just tell myself that I shouldn’t care what others think when I’m running….at least I’m trying and out there instead of sitting on my back-side
and God really doesn’t care if we look like the perfect athlete but what our attitude is.
By the way – Sarah do you have a blog you write at? Or Pinterest page? I’d like to follow you somehow!
Tracey M recently posted..Summer (Blogging) Slow Down
Hey Tracey! I don’t have a blog of my own. I just post occasionally here at Intentional By Grace, but I do have a pinterest account https://pinterest.com/saom/