1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest
after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
A couple years ago I made up my mind that I want to be a
super-fit 55 year-old. I have a few years before I reach that age (God
willing), but there is no time like the present to get started.
Since I have certain physical limitations instead of joining
a fitness club I chose to start walking each day and watching how much I ate. It
was my goal to walk between 3 and 5 miles a day. Some days were very hard.
But I did it because being fit and healthy is important to
me. I want a disciplined body because I want to stay qualified for my life’s
purpose.
In today’s scripture, Paul talks about disciplining his
body and bringing it under subjection. When something is under subjection, that
means that something else controls it.
In the case of your body, your mind is supposed to control
what it does. But too often, we fail to exercise that authority!
A vivid example of that was played out in the media not too
long ago.
A well-known athlete cheated on his wife with multiple
women. Even though he disciplined his mind to excel in his sport, he failed to
discipline his mind to resist temptation.
And because of this, his body led him into a situation that
hurt his wife, damaged his family, and caused him to lose respect from those
who admired him.
When it comes to your weight loss goals, you too must be
careful to be a person of integrity, which means wholeness. You keep your word
to yourself and others. And your actions match your words.
I’ve seen many examples of people who say that being
healthy and getting fit is important to them, yet they act in ways that will
bring them the exact opposite result. It seriously damages your confidence and
esteem when you say one thing and do another.
So today, resolve to go to the other side of hard by
disciplining your body. It starts with disciplining your mind. You can control
your thinking and direct your thoughts where you want your body to go.
If you keep your eyes on the prize, you will win and stay
qualified for the purpose to which God has called you!
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