INCREASING IN STATURE
Getting Real!
I once had a roommate that jokingly said, “The Lord’s mercies are new every morning and so are our calories.” HA! In the student ministry world of Little Debbie Cakes and stuffed crust pizza, this statement is music to our ears. Amidst the hustle and bustle of a Wednesday night or Sunday morning, it is quite easy to grab what our students are snacking on without a second thought. In the name of convenience, our diet begins to morph into that of our always hungry 6th-12th graders.
Does our physical well being even matter to Christ?
In all ways, Jesus experienced humanity in the fullest form, including developing physically. So how can we honor Him with our bodies?
What comes to mind when you hear the word “wellness?”
Wellness is an umbrella term that encompasses each area of our lives. Our spiritual wellness is of the upmost importance and should prioritized above all. 1 Timothy 4:8 says, “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds for the present life and for the life to come.” We know that our physical bodies are daily wasting, but our worship to the Lord is forever. Your walk with God is the most significant area of your wellness. However, it is helpful to note that the Apostle Paul did not discredit the importance of physical wellness. Rather, these words allow us to recognize a healthy balance that can take place with intentionality and focus.
One area of wellness should not be acted on at the total expense of another. Physically, we have been given our bodies as a temple for the Holy Spirit. It is true that how we care for ourselves does matter. There may be certain things within our ministry or personal life that become negatively affected when we are not at our physical bests.
Ryan’s Story
When sharing his testimony, my husband, Ryan often says, “Working out became an idol in my life.” Regularly visiting two times a day for several hours, he lived and breathed time in the gym. It was not until experiencing sudden health concerns that Ryan decided to make a needed shift in his life. He began to recognize that his relationship with Christ was growing complacent as he obsessed over his outward appearance and muscular physique. His priorities adjusted for the better, and he began to pursue a close relationship with Christ.
Recalibrating the Purpose of Working Out
Fortunately, his interest in physical wellness did not totally disappear. It is evident that God gave Ryan the passion of working out, staying active, and teaching others to do the same for a great purpose. His time in the gym has given him opportunities to minister and encourage other men on multiple occasions.
This is also a blessing in our relationship. The balance we have struck as a couple is one that I am consistently thankful for. We choose to exercise 5-6 times a week. Taking walks and spending time in the gym has been an important aspect of our relationship since the beginning.
Being in student ministry, we all may face obstacles that have led to seasons of poorer health.
This often feels inevitable when working in a fast-pace environment and executing a full calendar of events. We are beginning to recognize that discipline is required for maintaining physical wellness in all seasons. Like others, we are not exempt from grabbing our fair share of candy bars and ice cream sundaes.
We have concluded that we are more likely to make less than healthy decisions when we are experiencing increased stress. Together, we have come up with 4 M’s, relating to physical wellness that we seek to remember in our periods of greater stress.
Prayerfully, these will encourage you too!
Mindset. Be purposeful and prayerful in setting goals for your health. Determine your “why” and focus on taking daily steps to honor the commitment you have made. Wellness and worship are not exclusive of one another. May we care for ourselves with a biblical mindset, remembering to do all things unto the Lord.
Motivation. Determine what thing(s) motivate you to positively care for yourself. Maybe it is exercising at a certain time of the day or listening to an upbeat worship song playlist. “Amp” your motivation for exercise and healthy living by making it fun. Remember, our greatest motivator for good is God’s Holy Spirit within us.
Meal Prep. Rather than grocery shopping without a list, research tasty snacks and meals ahead of time. I use several resources for gathering inspiration for each week’s meals (see below). Keep it simple and fun, while remembering to focus on what you do enjoy eating. Force feeding yourself Brussel Sprouts is just not the way to go. Whether you have a sweet or savory palette, there are healthier options for all tastebuds.
Movement. Set a goal for stress-reducing 10,000 steps each day. Rather than sitting at your computer for countless, uninterrupted hours, send a few emails while walking around the parking lot. Save your phone calls for an afternoon stroll at a nearby park. Just 30 minutes of movement can positively affect your joint circulation, blood pressure, and major arteries. Get outside!
Wellness is not simply about looking good and losing pounds. As we seek to honor the Lord in all that we do, there is great value in caring for the physical bodies we have been blessed with. Stress and work overload can hinder us from making healthful decisions. In ministry, we can easily get stuck in the pattern of odd meals and unhealthy snacking.
Intentional focus and self-control are required when deciding to prioritize the physical area of wellness in our lives. God’s Spirit motivates us to a place of overall wellness. As we spend time with Him, our desire to honor Christ in every capacity of life increases. Be encouraged to live well, my friends.
~ Annie
