The Benefits of Physical Exercise: Part 1

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WEDNESDAY

April 14

The Benefits of Physical Exercise: Part 1
So far this week we have been looking at what it means to exercise faith. We have looked at some of the Bible’s images of athletes and racing that he used to talk about the Christian walk of faith.
At the same time, too, we have been told that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).
Read 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. What is Paul saying there? How might the question of physical exercise be linked to these verses? 

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Our bodies are gifts from God. They are not to be abused. Science has shown us, over and over, that almost every aspect of our physical being is benefited by exercise. Sure, we were not all called to sprint four-minute miles. But in almost all cases, we can do enough exercise in order to benefit ourselves greatly, not just physically but mentally and spiritually, as well.
As Christians, we do not believe in the Greek idea of a separate immortal soul. We do not believe in the pagan idea that the body is somehow evil. Our minds, our bodies, these are both gifts from God, and they are very closely related. How we feel physically will impact how we feel mentally, and that will impact how we feel spiritually, as well. Everything is related, and we cannot neglect any aspect of our being without impacting other aspects, as well.
“The requirements of God must be brought home to the conscience. Men and women must be awakened to the duty of self-mastery, the need of purity, freedom from every depraving appetite and defiling habit. They need to be impressed with the fact that all their powers of mind and body are the gift of God, and are to be preserved in the best possible condition for His service.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 130.
Those who exercise can attest to the wonderful benefits that come from it. And the good news is, you do not need excessive amounts of it.
Though many folk are busy, we are commanded by God to take care of ourselves, and exercise is one important way we can do it. What about you? How much time do you spend exercising? What excuses do you use to get out of doing it?