Exercise and Eat Right
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Exercise and eat right. Who does not know this is the prescription for good health, energy, and a stable weight? We have heard it for most of our lives, so why don’t we do it?
Most women have a constant struggle with eating well and maintaining weight because there are so many opportunities to eat and so few to exercise! If we want to exercise we have to deliberately carve out the time in our schedules. We may even have to pay for the gym membership if we want to exercise regularly.
Whether we want to eat or not we are offered a buffet every time we turn around. Almost no meeting, no office we visit, or our own homes, lack opportunities for a quick snack. Even when I go to the bank now I am faced with cookies, pretzels, and coffee.
Self-control is the key! I loved Lysa Terkeurst’s challenge in her book “Made to Crave”. She said that when she sees tempting food she thinks to herself something to the effect of, “Will I be happier tomorrow with the victory of not eating this than I will be right now with the taste?” I still indulge sometimes but at least I am weighing (wink, wink) the consequences before I do.
In Matthew 4 Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness and He said to the devil, “It is written, ’Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” It seems that we are caught in a similar pattern of temptation with spiritual food as we are with solid foods. Things look or sound so tempting that we listen and take in what almost anyone who teaches tells us. We fail to consider the consequences or look for the real ingredients of the teaching so we know what we’re getting. Before you know it, we are weighed down with burdens we did not intend to add.
There are many days when it is tempting not to sit down with the Lord for a time of prayer and Bible reading/study. The things of the world are so alluring, time with friends, other books, the internet, and even family can all be taking us away from the time we might give to the Lord, to get to know His Word. When we succumb to that temptation too many times, when time in the Word of God is not a priority, we are far more likely to fall for false teaching.
Jesus once told the Sadducees that they were wrong in their thinking because they did not know the scriptures or the power of God. (Matthew 22:29) How often is this true of any of us? We fail to be discerning or wise because we have not filled our minds with the teaching God has so graciously left us?
We are still living in a nation blessed with so many opportunities to be spiritually fed. Though many churches are not faithful to the Word of God – there are still plenty that are. The person choosing to stay in a church where God’s Word is not being taught needs to examine if they are there because God wants them there or of their own desire. We also have access to so many good commentaries and books written about the Word of God. And, we have Bible studies. Even if your own church does not offer one, most Bible preaching churches welcome anyone to their Bible studies.
We are without excuse regarding knowing the word of God, of regularly taking in spiritual nourishment, so that we can live for the Lord and influence those around us in the ways and words of God. I have also found that when I am more disciplined in my time with the Lord I am more disciplined in other areas. My house is cleaner, my writing is consistently getting done on time, and I am eating less, exercising more, and feeling better because of it all.
So, this past weekend was not one when I exercised self-control over food or my time with the Lord. Today, so far I am off to a good start. SO, when the next temptation comes, will be I be happier if I have spent time in the Word so I am able to stand up under it – or will I be happier with that undisciplined use of my time that pulled me away from the study of God’s Word so I cave into that next Oreo cookie or piece of cheesecake I am offered?
Eating the right spiritual food and exercising our faith will be as healthy for us as leaving that Oreo and cheesecake on the table would have been for me this weekend!