The post 5 Biblical Reasons to Workout  appeared first on Women Devotions.

How do you view exercise? Do you view it as a punishment for that extra scoop of Ben & Jerry’s? Or do you view it as an act of worship?

I know I’ve struggled with seeing it both ways, but I’ve been making greater efforts over the past few months to view it as a form of worship. So I wanted to share some scripture to encourage you that there are actually biblical reasons to workout!

Here are my top 5 biblical reasons to workout

#1 – Your Body is a temple.

God blessed you with a body! He knit you together, He crafted you uniquely, and He made you wonderfully. Scripture flat out tells us that our body is a temple and that God dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”), how encouraging is that?! His Holy Spirit dwells in our bodies and we should honor God and take care of our bodies because He lives in us and without him, we wouldn’t exist. We should glorify Him with the bodies He has given us.

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. -1 Corinthians 6:19-20

#2 – Workout Discipline translates to other areas of our lives.

Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do. Sometimes we have to get uncomfortable in order to progress. Continually doing things that are good for us can definitely be difficult, but once we start going and get into a routine, these challenging things become easier and even exciting.

This is typically the case when it comes to exercise. Think about it – have you ever started a workout program and absolutely dreaded it because of the soreness to come? The first week may have been painful, but the second week, not so bad, and hey, by the third week, you might actually enjoy it. That’s what discipline can result in. Discipline results in progress and reward.

(Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”) It can also result in self-control, which can carry over to other areas of our lives. And self-control is a fruit of the spirit (an attribute of a person living in accordance with the Holy Spirit). (maybe link a ‘Fruit of the Spirit book here for Amazon??)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

– Galatians 5:22-23

#3 – To be ready for missions.

Two major parts of being a Christian are obedience and gospelizing. We are commanded to be obedient to God and we are also commanded to share the gospel…but what if God calls us to a ministry that requires being physically fit?

Shouldn’t you be ready to go at the drop of a hat as to not delay obedience? Now, obviously God will not require us to be physically fit for ministry, and we do not need to be equipped prior to him calling us, for he will equip up when he uses us.

But, I see no harm in being prepared and ready to go where he calls us when he calls us. We should be prepared to give everything, even our bodies, as sacrifice to the Lord to advance the gospel.

…present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  

– Romans 12:1

#4 – To be a witness.

We can glorify God through everything if we are intentional and view it as an act of worship. We can exalt His name through our daily interactions! By going to the gym, attending a fitness class, or working out at home with friends and/or family on a regular basis we have an amazing opportunity to build relationships and get to know others on a more intimate level.

There’s something about seeing someone struggling with a fitness challenge and being able to encourage them to push through, to keep on fighting, to win the battle against their mind telling them they should give up. That encouragement is fuel. And even on the days where their tank is empty and unable to be filled up, you can be there for them and listen to what is going on in their lives and what is troubling their minds, preventing them from having an amazing workout. You could use this as an opportunity to share your faith and offer prayer to someone that you meet through working out. Offering to pray for someone can have a huge impact, in fact, that’s how I came to know the Lord. 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

#5 – To have a positive, Christ-like attitude. 

I think it’s safe to say that we all know the physical health benefits of exercise, but what about the psychological benefits? Working out produces a plethora of good things and my favorite psychological benefit has to be the increase in endorphins, which results in stress relief, better mood, and better sleep.

People prefer to be around people who lift them up and encourage them, and it’s easier to be that person when you are taking care of yourself and putting in the effort to relieve stresses in your life and increase your positive mind-set. With a clear mind, we are better able to focus on our Savior and the truths found in his word. With a sound mind we are better able to put God and others before ourselves, just as Christ commands. And the overall improvement in mood can be used to draw others to God.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

 – Mark 12:30-31

Rest assured, you can begin your workout knowing that you can glorify God through it and that exercise is in fact biblical. Be encouraged and have endurance to honor God with your body, practice discipline, be a witness to others, and grow in godliness as you practice the art of exercise. And, as with all things, stay focused on His kingdom and bringing Him glory. Keep your eye on the eternal prize.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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