Integrating Faith and Fitness

This morning I conducted a first session for a new personal training client. As we were walking during the 1 mile walk assessment to determine her cardiovascular fitness level she asked me what a good walking pace would be for a solid workout. I mentioned that a 15 minutes/mile pace would be something she could shoot for.

As we wrapped up the session we spoke briefly about goals and "targets" for the training and gained a commitment from her that she would look on the positive side of her efforts and to not focus on what fitness level she was currently at. We then briefly talked about some spiritual or faith-related "targets" to help her.

A strong believer, she understands the importance of mixing her faith with her intentions and actions to become more fit. I had previously challenged her to pick out three scriptures that spoke to her personally about her intentions to become more physically active. She had done her homework and written these out. I reminded her of the importance of speaking these scriptures out loud and that this would help to mix her spirit with God's Holy Spirit that is inside her.

Just as this new client of mine has done, if you are attempting a behavior change to impact upon your health and fitness level, I encourage you to integrate your personal faith into your efforts. Think Biblical truths about who you are and how God is helping you. Pick out a few scriptures that are meaningful and write them out. Perhaps put them on a 3x5 card and keep them visible to refer to them, even consider memorizing them. This is a form of spiritual exercise that if practiced regularly will help you in your behavior change efforts.

Well, it's going to be another near-100 degree day in Charlotte. I'll be drinking a lot of water and staying inside when I can.

Be healthy and be fit!

Morning Exercise & Personal Confessions

The last two days for me have been terrific! I attribute this to a practice I have incorporated into my morning physical exercise. I have read out loud

personal confessions that I have typed and printed out.

A few weeks ago I started to browse through my Bible, beginning with the book of Matthew, to find verses I had previously underlined. These verses must have made an impact on me at one time or another. I wrote out these scriptures in the form of a personal confession. A partial list is at this link. so you can get the idea. These are God's truths as they speak to me personally.

Reading these personal confessions out loud has a tremendous effect. It gets God's truth deep into my spirit. It helps to mix my spirit with His Holy Spirit that lives in me. It helps to renew my mind. It sets my mind on things above. And it gets me thinking about God and Jesus and who I am in God... my true identity. As I have taken time to do this each of the last two days, it has prepared me for the day and circumstances that lie ahead of me.

I challenge you to try this. Don't just take my list and use it but create your own confessions. Perhaps use the same technique I used if you have made it a practice of underlining scriptures. Or you might look into the books of Proverbs or Psalm to pick out relevant verses that you find meaningful. If you do this, I'll bet that you notice a difference in how the day goes.

Let me know....... and have a great day in the Lord!!

Forgiveness as a Spiritual Exercise

I attended a Bible Study earlier in the week on Tuesday night. For the last year I have been involved in this ministry that provides transitional housing, food, prayer, clothing and assistance to men who are poor and homeless. During the meeting one of the men spoke of how his younger brother was shot while walking home from school. “How am I supposed to forgive this man who shot my brother?” asked the man. My heart sank as I heard the pain in his voice. All I felt I could do was to approach the man afterwards and tell him I was sorry this had happened and that I would pray for him. He looked into my eyes and told me how the shooting of his brother had turned his life upside down and caused him to turn to unhealthy behaviors. I left the meeting with a heavy and burdened heart. When I returned home I dropped to my knees and said a prayer for him. Next week when I see him I intend to ask him if he’d like to talk with me about this. My hopes are that he will be able to forgive this man some day.

What I have written above is the introduction of an article that will appear in March on the online magazine, Faith and Fitness. It will be one of a series of articles on Spiritual Exercises in the context of how a person practices their faith and the relationship that respective Spiritual Exercise has on a person's health.

I have recognized the need to address this issue of forgiveness for a long time as it is an extremely relevant exercise that a person must address if he is to experience total health. Although I recognize the importance of this issue, it has been a challenge for me to get my arms around how to address it in a fairly short manner in a one-page article. It's only when I was able to seek God in a very humble and sincere way and ask Him to help me with this that he opened the door and gave me insight. I also believe that He orchestrated the events that occured on Tuesday night at the Bible Study as He provided a real life example of a person's struggle to forgive. I thank God for how He helped me with the article. More importantly I pray that God will touch and heal the heart of the man who's brother was shot.

For Fitness and Health Professionals

Ok... you're a fitness/health professional and the purpose of your role is to help your clients/patients be more healthy. You understand that one's spiritual health is every bit as important as one's physical health. You recognize that there is a connection between one's faith and their health... that if one attends to their deep spiritual needs and has a connection with God and practices certain religious/spiritual behaviors, then it will impact in a positive way on their emotional and physical health. Yet, you do not "go there" with your clients or patients. You don't initiate conversation with the people you serve on this topic. Why not? What are the obstacles that cause you not to "go there?"