Renewing Your Mind Through Christ to Achieve Your Fitness Goals
We have all heard the saying, “mind over matter,” on more than one occasion. Consequently, people use different strategies to mentally prepare for a given task. For instance, some celebrities admit they employ an “alter ego” technique to get over stage fright. Other people give themselves “pep talks” to reinforce the belief that they can accomplish a goal. Then there are those who use meditation or other relaxation techniques prior to undertaking an important assignment.
People psyche themselves out to eat right and exercise, too. Some rely on other people. For example, making a commitment to be a workout buddy gives them a feeling of responsibility and accountability. Others join weight loss programs because they need a structured environment to succeed. Some people hire personal trainers to keep them motivated and to push them in ways they cannot push themselves.
We use these and other strategies for many reasons. On the one hand, it is hard to make yourself exercise. Likewise, it is difficult to find the time to prepare meals for yourself and your family for the whole week. And honestly, the last thing you want to do after a long day is cook when it is so much easier to place an order to be picked up on your way home from work.
It is not that your body cannot stand the discomfort associated with a workout. It is not that your teeth are not capable of chewing vegetables, legumes, or baked fish. On the contrary, you can not only swallow eggplant, but your body can also digest it. The problem is that you do not want to do it even though you know intellectually it is what is best for you.
As you have learned from previous experience, the mental tricks only work for so long. Until you truly change your mind, none of the mind games will work long-term. A made-up mind is a determined one that will not be changed because of a little physical discomfort due to a workout or the inconvenience of having to alter your lifestyle in order to conform to a health and fitness plan. It is a permanent change because it is a part of who you are. It is also much easier to do when it is a gift from God instead of the result of a daily, internal war between your cravings and your feeble will. If you are willing to submit to God’s will to eat and drink for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), then He will give you the gift of grace to be changed from the inside out by renewing your mind (Romans 12:2).
If you are ready to stop playing mind games and let God permanently change your health and fitness mindset through Christ, purchase your copies of the Eating as an Act of Worship Workbook and the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher’s Edition online today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. In the books, you will learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God. Read our weekly blog for motivation to stay healthy and fit through Christ. Follow us daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for recipes, and diet and exercise tips. Tune in to our syndicated radio show on iTunes, Spotify the DFW Den Radio Station, the StudioW Buzz Radio Station, and Victory KVDW 100.9 FM, 95.3 FM, and 1530 AM in Little Rock, Arkansas for interviews and health and fitness trends. Lastly, make your tax-deductible donation to Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries at www.eatingasanactofworshipministries.org!
