I believe that everyone wants to be healthy. I don’t think a lot of people intend to gain excessive amounts of weight, develop pains, diabetes, or heart disease as a result of their lifestyle choices. But it’s hard! Our society has made it really easy, cheap, and fun even, to eat unhealthy foods in ridiculous portions and do a lot of sitting around. However, as Christians, we don’t need to settle for that.

In first Corinthians 9, the apostle Paul tells us that we are each running a race. Runners require training, consistency, some sacrifice and dedication to their goal. No where does it state that perfection is a requirement. We are humans, and we will stumble, fail, fall off track, and encounter all sorts of obstacles along the journey. The changes come when we don’t allow any of those hinderances to stop us. Cowards and the weak will quit, but those who are strong and confident will continue to work and finish their race.

I believe that the Enemy wants us to choose the easy way out, to be attracted to those things that are almost “too good to be true”, to allow those excuses that we’ve justified in our minds to take root as legitimate reasons not to change. The challenge lies where we play out the scenarios long term: If you remain on the same path you’re on right now–where will you be in ten, fifteen years? Will you be heavier, sicker, more depressed than you are today? Or are you on a path that may be a pain in the butt right now, but in ten, fifteen years you’ll be more active, be at a healthier weight, and have gained some confidence from your efforts. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 4 that we will face opposition in this life, it will come in all disguises, scheduling conflicts, poor influences, physical obstacles, the list goes on. But keep your eyes on the prize, just as Paul did, and you will be able to overcome and not allow those distractions to take root.

Things to take away:

• Our bodies are gifts, what are you doing to honor that gift in your life?
  • Surround yourself with Christ following supportive people
  • Glean as much knowledge as you can about nutrition, fitness, and what Christ has to say about them
  • Choose programs/activities that focus on balance and long term change, rather than restrictive, quick/instant results
• We will encounter difficulties in this life, including our health, but are you allowing those difficulties to consume you and deter you from a healthier life?
• Are you “training” intentionally for your race (aka, a Christ-centered life)? Are you intentional about your influences and motives?
• When faced with a challenge, remember the confidence and ability you have in Christ to accomplish whatever you set out to conquer with Him.