Matthew 7:7 (NLT)
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Honesty Check. Have you uttered the following prayer…or one similar?
“GOD, please help me lose weight so I can fit into that hot little bikini this summer…or GOD, please help me get ripped with a six-pack I can wash clothes off of.”
While these are obviously superficial and selfish prayers, they bring up a valid Scriptural principle: We have not because we ask not. GOD is ever faithful to deliver our needs. So then, let us return to our example prayer. Although rippling abs or a flat stomach for a bikini may not be necessities, the overall health and wellness of the body is. In optimal health, the body functions as it should, as it was designed to do. So here’s a thought. Maybe we should pray something along the lines of “ GOD, please allow me to enjoy the greatest health possible, so that I can serve you, savor activity time with my family, and use my body to help others. This is sincere prayer and because you are asking not out of selfish gain (or at least less selfish gain), he will be faithful to deliver. He promised. And he has yet to disappoint.
Maybe you won’t grace the cover of Men’s Health Magazine or Redbook, but you’ll be healthy, happy, and on your way to being whole.
Application: We can’t do anything- especially health and wellness wise- without help. Ask GOD first. Then ask one (or many) people to hold you accountable to your health and wellness goals. Don’t get upset if they call you out!
Nutrition Tip: Unless you’re fasting (which will be discussed next week), breakfast is of absolute importance. Name your breakfast, or lack thereof, and I can tell you much about your health. A healthy, nutritious breakfast leads to sustained energy and focus. Think oatmeal, eggs/egg whites, turkey bacon, and fruit. Or if you’re on the go, a fruit smoothie with stuff added. Shipley’s every morning will leave you dragging, bloated, and awaiting your next sugar hit. (My apologies, Wesley.)
Exercise Tip: As funny as this may sound, give GOD your workout. Pray that you condition your body without bringing it harm and use your workout time as another opportunity to worship. The following music will enhance your workout by pumping up your adrenaline level and allowing you to lift your hands in worship between sets: Thousand Foot Krutch, The Classic Crime, Flyleaf, Project 86, Blindside, and TobyMac to name a few.
