Taking Care of Our Bodies

The act of taking care of our bodies is something that has been mentioned in the Bible many times.  It is something very important, and something that we need to do a lot of in our daily life.

It has been said multiple times that our bodies are a temple.  Therefore, we need to take the time to exercise and build muscle so that our bodies are strong and equipped. I am a college swimmer so I am constantly working out.  During the school year, whether it be lifting, racing in the pool, or running, I am always working to get my body built into shape for competition.  

This past semester, the swim team wasn't much of a thing due to COVID, so I was forced to take working out into my own hands since the team didn't have practice.  So, my lifting buddy and I decided to go and lift weights every single day.  Monday through Friday, we would meet at the gym in the late afternoon to get a "quick grind" in before dinner.  We rotated through leg day, arms day, core day, cardio day, and back day.  Some days were harder than the others, but we had fun doing it as well.  Me and my lifting buddy grew closer after working out every day as well.  And, we saw real results in ourselves, too.  

Working out and exercises increases self confidence, self love, energy, and promotes better sleep. Working out is something that should be done regularly (at least once a day) and is a healthy way to burn off some steam.  It helps with depression, anxiety and stress also.  I have noticed from the past years how beneficial it had been for me both physically and mentally. 

According to Arlene Semeco, Registered dietitian and Nurse, "Exercise can increase the production of endorphins, which are known to help produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain".

Therefore, it is obvious that physical exercise is a necessity for living a healthy lifestyle.  But, it leaves us to the question of how much exercise is too much?

Working out CANNOT be your main focus throughout the day.  It is a "side" activity- something that you do to maintain a healthy body and get on with your day.  If you are finding yourself working out more than you are spending time with Jesus, you are doing it wrong. If you are working out more than you are working for your financial goal or a different hobby, you are doing it wrong.  For example, I love reading and writing.  If I am only reading a book I love for thirty minutes a day, yet working out for an hour and a half, I am doing it wrong.  If I spend fifteen minutes in prayer with God and reading my Bible, but yet working out for two hours, I DO NOT have my priorities straight.  

Working out CANNOT be your God.  There is a point where working out can be toxic and, actually, a detriment to your health.  Too much of a certain thing can always be bad.  It is important to know that the bodies that we have on this Earth right now are temporary.  As we age, our earthly bodies will become weaker.  As Christians, we should not spend large amounts of our life building out temporary earthly body, but building our spiritual body in Christ.  Our spiritual body in Christ will last for eternity, not our temporary physical body now. It is also said in the 

Some important Bible verses that I have been studying regarding this topic are as follows:

1 Timothy 4:8 "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."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So, glorify God in your body."

And one more verse, even though it doesn't have much to do with this topic, I felt compelled to share it. I think it is important!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."

To wrap it up, physical exercise is incredibly important for our bodies, our minds, and our spirituality.  But, it shouldn't take over your whole world, or even close to it.  You should never find yourself spending more time working out than you are spending time with the creator of the Universe. 

-TJO