She Strengtheneth Her Arms
I am now in the third week of my fifth time through the P90X workout program. By following their 90-day exercise schedule, which includes weight lifting, plyometrics, yoga and kenpo karate, along with their nutrition plan, you can see drastic changes.
But why would I put myself through all that? Some women tell me that they'd never want to sweat like that, or they just don't have time to exercise to that level. And no, I never say it's so I can show off my "guns" or go run a marathon. The reason I exercise is simple:
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. Proverbs 31:17
In that picture of the perfect example of a woman God lays out in the book of Proverbs, she is busy all day and through part of the night. She cares for her home and her family, she runs two businesses and she handles a staff and the shopping. Sound like anyone you know personally?
If I want to be able to serve God to the best of my ability, I have to have strength and stamina just to make it through the day. Women have so many responsibilities on their shoulders that the better our bodies can function, the better off we'll be.
I happen to have both fibromyalgia and asthma, so there are days when I have to modify my workouts some so that I can continue to breathe and can actually get out of bed the next day. I'm obviously not suggesting that everyone go out and get the P90X DVDs. There are great workouts and exercise programs developed for every body and ability. You may just want to walk every morning. Or you might enjoy stopping by the gym sometime during the day. A little weight lifting might be just what you need, or perhaps you just love to swim. Anything that's structured and targeted will not only help you build strength, it will help you slim down and get all your insides healthy and fit.
As you think about all the things on your to-do list today, ask yourself if you could do them better, more quickly and more efficiently. If you had the strength and endurance of the Proverbs 31 woman, are there additional things you'd like to do, or some chores you have now that might be easier. Every tiny step you take to having a healthier, more fit body means one more act of service for the Lord you might have been able to do before.
But why would I put myself through all that? Some women tell me that they'd never want to sweat like that, or they just don't have time to exercise to that level. And no, I never say it's so I can show off my "guns" or go run a marathon. The reason I exercise is simple:
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. Proverbs 31:17
In that picture of the perfect example of a woman God lays out in the book of Proverbs, she is busy all day and through part of the night. She cares for her home and her family, she runs two businesses and she handles a staff and the shopping. Sound like anyone you know personally?
If I want to be able to serve God to the best of my ability, I have to have strength and stamina just to make it through the day. Women have so many responsibilities on their shoulders that the better our bodies can function, the better off we'll be.
I happen to have both fibromyalgia and asthma, so there are days when I have to modify my workouts some so that I can continue to breathe and can actually get out of bed the next day. I'm obviously not suggesting that everyone go out and get the P90X DVDs. There are great workouts and exercise programs developed for every body and ability. You may just want to walk every morning. Or you might enjoy stopping by the gym sometime during the day. A little weight lifting might be just what you need, or perhaps you just love to swim. Anything that's structured and targeted will not only help you build strength, it will help you slim down and get all your insides healthy and fit.
As you think about all the things on your to-do list today, ask yourself if you could do them better, more quickly and more efficiently. If you had the strength and endurance of the Proverbs 31 woman, are there additional things you'd like to do, or some chores you have now that might be easier. Every tiny step you take to having a healthier, more fit body means one more act of service for the Lord you might have been able to do before.
Good reminder, Laura - exercise really gets put last on my list at this time in life, and many times doesn't get done at all. I never thought about how much easier my other "jobs" might be if I were stronger and healthier!
ReplyDeleteI agree completely! There's no way I could do the things I do and still be able to smile by 7pm if I didn't get regular exercise. Personally, I feel it is very important for us to be stewards of the bodies God has given to us. He has been so good to us in giving us a body to serve Him with, the least we could do is take care of it!
ReplyDeletePeople laugh when I say I'm just working out the Temple of the Holy Spirit, but that's the truth. I wouldn't want to be carrying around a temple that the Lord wouldn't be proud of. I'm glad there are other women who agree!
ReplyDelete