Fit From Home

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

1 Timothy 4:8



I was reading an article yesterday on getting "Fit From Home" and what to do if you can’t get to the gym because of the COVID-19 virus. I had just started back to the gym right before this world wide pandemic began so my streak is broken and I am trying to figure out what I can do comfortably at home and the motivation to do it. Does watching workout video’s count as working out? The video I was watching was titled, “Fit From Home” and it got me thinking not so much about physical exercise but our need for spiritual exercise too. We cant forget the need our spirit has to be exercised as it is not only beneficial to our health and well being now but for all eternity!

I love those “Before and After” photo’s of people who have successfully transformed themselves through diet and exercise. The results are often times amazing as you wouldn’t even recognize the person and who they once were. Are you aware that exercising ourselves to godliness has the same effect on our spirit? The good news about becoming spiritually fit is its not us who bring about the results through our own hard work. Actually it’s just the opposite. The way any of us gets spiritually fit is by giving up, letting go and letting God do the work. Philippians 3:10 reminds us that the transformation begins as we come to know Jesus Christ as Lord. The apostle Paul put it like this, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” When you and I turn our lives over to God He begins the transforming process in each of our lives.

Becoming everything God wants us to be starts then by surrendering ourselves to His will. In the same way it’s far better to have a personal trainer than it is trying to work out on our own. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” How can we get fit from home during these forced days of isolation?

1. EAT RIGHT: In Matthew 4:4 we learn the Word of God is food for our soul, “But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " Just like transforming our physical bodies includes eating the right things throughout the day, the man or woman of God feeds regularly on the Word of God. Athletes tend to eat more smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to 2 or three larger ones. Feeding our minds on the Word of God nourishes our souls and keeps our spirits in top shape.

2. EXERCISE DAILY: Most sport medicine doctors agree that if we just spent 30 minutes in vigorous exercise our lives would be drastically improved. The apostle Paul who was in Corinth, the home of the Olympics could would watch men train almost daily and draws a comparison from the athletes preparing to compete in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

Exercising daily helps to build much needed endurance. Prayer, constant and consistent prayer helps us to endure. Prayer is like running wind sprints. The more we pray the stronger our endurance as our endurance is built on our reliance on Jesus. When we pray to God, we are submitting ourselves to His will and not our own. When we pray we tap into a strength that is not our own. It’s in prayer where we discover for ourselves, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).  

3. BE CONSISTENT: To get the results we all desire takes discipline, of the mind and the soul. It’s not just starting well that matters, but finishing strong too. The apostle Paul using a sports metaphor says, “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:26-27). Determine to exercise your faith every day and in no time at all you will see the results and your motivation to exercise your faith even more will grow.

4. TRUST YOUR TRAINER: No one can get the best results at a gym on their own. A personal trainer who knows how you think and feel, understands your moods, your desires, goals, and dreams as well as your weaknesses is invaluable to your success. God knew we’d need help and is why He gave us the Holy Spirit. Just like no one can save themselves, as our salvation is a gift from God, no one can bring about the spiritual results they desire on their own. We need God’s help. Invite the Holy Spirit to train you, to be with you and to keep reminding you of all the things Jesus has said. In the same way a personal trainer will push and encourage you, the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you into all truth as you run your race and exercise your faith. The more you look to the Jesus, the more you will rely on Him to provide all you need to become all that you are! 1 Corinthians 15:7 says it best, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”


“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

3 John 1:2

I LOVE YOU!