Body

Strengthen Your Faith Through Physical Exercise

Both bodies and souls are important to the Christian.

We know that God created humans with these two interconnected parts, and that the health (or sickness) of one can influence the health (or sickness) of the other. God made us and redeems us as whole persons, and it’s a Christian distinctive to care about it all — not just the soul, but the soul and body.

But valuable as both parts are, the apostle Paul goes a step further to help us understand the priority. The central passage on this topic is in his first letter to Timothy. Exhorting him to be “a good servant of Christ Jesus,” Paul writes,

[T]rain yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. (1 Timothy 4:7–9)

Many commentators point out that “bodily training” is an athletic allusion similar to 1 Corinthians 9:25. Paul’s point there and here are identical: he contrasts the superior benefits of spiritual training with the limited benefits of physical training. Spiritual training is for the imperishable wreath and procures value in the present life and in the one to come.

Both kinds of training are important, but spiritual training — godliness — is most important.

by Pastor Parnell

Low Impact In-House Exercise Videos

 

 

 YouTube Christian Exercise Videos

Body Image

Use honoring language about your body

It has been socially acceptable to put your appearance down, particularly for women. But when we do, we are putting a judgment on our bodies – bodies that are good gifts from God, no matter what size or shape.

Instead, it’s important to speak about your body in an honoring way. Take a moment to appreciate your body for what it is, not how it looks. I can think about all the things it does, giving thanks for how it moves and all it’s able to achieve in a day. Even when my body is failing, there are things to give thanks for.

Pursue a healthy lifestyle

It’s not your body – it’s God’s. It’s been given to us so that we can pay it forward as a “living sacrifice” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Being a good steward of the body you’ve been given doesn’t mean we have to be gym junkies (1 Timothy 4:8). But at the same time, eating chips and cake every day may not be good stewardship of your resources that God has given you. I am free to choose, but I do it reminding myself that I’m doing it for God’s purpose.

Written by Cheryl at http://twentysixletters.org/dear-christians-we-need-to-talk-about-body-image/