Women Living Well Blog: What The Bible Says About Exercise and a Living Well Wednesday Link-Up

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

What The Bible Says About Exercise and a Living Well Wednesday Link-Up

Since Monday and Tuesday were about healthy living, I thought I'd chime in some of my thoughts today on exercise!

Only one time is physical exercise mentioned in the Bible and it is in I Timothy 4:8 - which reads "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

So the Bible affirms that "physical training is of some value". How does it benefit you personally? Do you have any ailments that you know physical exercise helps? Studies show that exercise gives us physical and mental energy, it gives us stronger muscles and bones, helps us sleep better, reduces fatigue, depression, and anxiety, fights heart disease, and generally gives you a longer, healthier life. "Physical training is of some value."

Is exercise important to you? Is it vain? At one time - vanity was attached to my exercise. But now that I've had 2 babies and my body has changed it is less about vanity and more about being healthy.

I won't list my ailments for you - but I do suffer from high blood pressure which I take medication for and also neck pain due to some arthritic changes in my neck. My neck pain literally disappears with regular workouts. But as soon as I stop exercising it returns in full force. "Physical training has some value" and without it my entire family suffers.

I value my exercise time and I have to squeeze it into my routine - BUT when you may ask? I have my quiet times in the morning - so the morning is no good! Then the day is packed full with the kids and responsibilities. So for me the best time is the worst time - at the end of my exhausted day! Often all I want to do is snuggle up in my pj's, turn on the television and grab a bag of chips - but instead I have disciplined myself to head to my basement the minute my children are in bed, - and get on the treadmill for no less than 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week.

When I fall off the bandwagon, there's no motivator like a sharp neck pain that reminds me - I need to exercise!

So I want to encourage you - if you suffer from aches and pains, fatigue, and low energy and you think - "but there's just no place to squeeze it in" - you must make exercise a priority - it has some value! It is not a waste of time - it is an investment into your life - your quality of life. Pray and ask God to help you - just three times a week to get moving for even just 15 minutes. And then live your life passionately for God - with energy!

I want to invite bloggers to link-up any blog posts that will encourage Women to Live Well.

It can include posts encouraging women in their walk with God, marriage, parenting or homemaking.

So join the fun, do a little blog hopping and don't forget if you join below -please add the Women Living Well Wednesdays button to your post so your readers can find us here!

Walk with the King!

Labels: Women Living Well Wednesdays

18 Comments:

Mrs Mary Joy Pershing said...: Courtney,

I completely agree with you! I am working on exercising more often. I've lost 35 lbs since last May...I feel much better...but I still have about 60 more to go! So I am eating more healthy and walking the steps in our house.

I know that when I am more active I feel better...but in the winter time I have to do a little more to keep motivated to do it. Thank you for this post! I really needed to hear it today! :D

Building Home with Him,

Mary Joy; January 11, 2011 at 11:12 PM
Jessica Heights said...: I have Fibromyalgia...which is best controlled with exercise and plenty of sleep! Since I can't have the latter, I must rely on the former! :); January 11, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Sharon Piatt said...: Thank you for the reminder to get back on the wagon. I definitely feel better when I exercise, but I let alot of little things and sleep get in the way. I love to walk or bike outside, but when it's -17 degrees like this morning, the treadmill is more appealing, but neglected lately. Definitely what I needed to hear.; January 12, 2011 at 12:19 AM
Stephanie said...: Just getting back on a diet and exercise routine after a VERY hard year! I pray that God gives me the disoipline and strength to see it through and meet my goals!; January 12, 2011 at 7:16 AM
Unknown said...: Such an encouraging post Courtney! I hope you don't mind I linked up 2 blog posts, one of which was somewhat of a product review. I hope no one considers it spammy because that's certainly not my intention. I just wanted to pass along info about my weight-loss gadget that has literally prevented me from missing one workout since I got it 2 weeks ago. The only reason why I linked up my review was because of how motivated it has made me when it comes to workouts and your post made me think about it and want to pass it along to your readers.; January 12, 2011 at 7:28 AM
Jaime @ Like a Bubbling Brook said...: Thanks for hosting, Courtney, and for being such an inspiration!; January 12, 2011 at 8:03 AM
Far Above Rubies said...: I completely agree, exxercising helps many physical problems such as anxiety and depression.

Thanks for sharing.

God bless.; January 12, 2011 at 8:47 AM
Just Me said...: You've encouraged me, Courtney - again!

I'm going to go 'walking with the King' tonight after work! Thank you!; January 12, 2011 at 9:18 AM
Sam W. said...: thank you for the encouragement! i definitely agree with exercise keeping not only me but my family sane.; January 12, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Christin said...: Oh I am SO with you on this Courtney! I need to exercise not to lose weight (since I'm not overweight, despite the pudge from carrying babies) LOL, but no, because I need the energy it gives me!
Ok, so we just sold our stationery bike because neither of us liked using it. But, we were supposed to buy a treadmill. The money we got for the bike was supposed to help with it. But then everything changed, so now I'm not sure if we're buying it at all! LOL

I would gladly walk/run around here if I thought I'd be safe! It's not that our neighborhood is bad, it's not. But it can bring in suspicious characters, if you know what I mean.

Anyhoo...all that to say, I agree and I'm still trying to figure out how to do it. My only option right now, {gulp} is I have a Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" dvd I could pop in. So, no excuses I guess!
Joyfully His,
Christin; January 12, 2011 at 1:35 PM
Amy said...: Hey Courtney, I agree with your post. Thanks for the needed encouragement to keep moving.

Amy @ Missional Mama; January 12, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Kathryn said...: Thank you so much for this post. I really needed this encouragement and motivation!; January 12, 2011 at 3:10 PM
Anonymous said...: Courtney -
This was a great blog post. I so much needed to read this. I did not know that verse existed. Thank you so much.

Carolyn; January 12, 2011 at 4:26 PM
Collette said...: Hi - I found your blog for the first time today & saw your Rachel Ray show clip. I just want to say thank you and God bless you for your awesome testimony & example to wives and moms. I am a Christian homeschooling mom of 4 & have lived out the same ideals in my marriage as you talk about & I, too, have a wonderful marriage and home as a result. It is so refreshing to see someone like you boldly & positively speaking these truths - you brightened my day! I'll be adding you to my prayer list & checking back here often!
Blessings,
Collette; January 12, 2011 at 5:08 PM
GODesteem said...: Hi Courtney... I appreciate much of your wisdom and especially your humility in your writings... I do wonder if you have looked into alternatives for the high blood pressure diagnosis? There needs to be a balance between salt and water in the blood to keep pressure regulated... the doctor might tell you to avoid salt, but sea salt is very healthy, and of course, we all should be drinking lots of real water (i.e. spring or remineralized)... hope this helps!; January 12, 2011 at 6:20 PM
Crystal said...: arThank you for this! I CAN'T wait to start back exercising! I have been having knee/thigh pain for some time and am in the process of seeing someone about it! So, right now, I'm not doing anything and don't like it! (walking causes the pain to flare really bad at night and keep me up!) I feel so much better when I am walking regularly!

At one point in my life it was vanity for me as well... but now, it's just a way to keep my body feeling better!; January 13, 2011 at 8:24 PM
Anonymous said...: Courtney, I was confused when I saw the scripture reference used, 1Timothy 4:8. Woundering what version of the Bible you are using for that referencing? I use the KJV and am familiar with that verse...KJV reads, "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things...". I do exercise and I don't mean to be rude in any way, I just had never heard or seen said scripture used that way before. Thankyou for sharing!; January 16, 2011 at 8:47 PM
Courtney (Women Living Well) said...: Anonymous -

All of my Bible references are NIV unless otherwise noted :-)!

Our translations mean the same thing - here's how Matthew Henry's Commentary explains your version:

"But exercise thyself rather unto godliness; that is, mind practical religion. Those who would be godly must exercise themselves unto godliness; it requires a constant exercise. The reason is taken from the fain of godliness; bodily exercise profits little, or for a little time."

Bodily exercise profits for a little time - Godliness has eternal value...exercise has some value for now in this world but no eternal value.

Hope that clears it up for ya!
Courtney; January 16, 2011 at 9:19 PM

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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

What The Bible Says About Exercise and a Living Well Wednesday Link-Up

18 Comments:

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