Have you ever googled “workout motivation”?

Oh, I have. I sometimes wish that motivation was something Icould bottle up and take a big gulp of. I want to WANT to work out, butsometimes I just don’t. Know what I mean?

I want all that comes with exercise. I want to feel good, Iwant the health benefits and I want to like the way I look in my clothes. I want the stressrelief that it promises. The endorphins. I want to BE fit. But, you know, I don’talways want to do what it takes to be fit.

They say motivation doesn’t last, and that’s true. That is whyexercise has to become a habit in your life. You have to be disciplined. Thereis no getting around that. There is no easy button. But, there are some nudgesthat can be found if we look for them.

I am always inspired by the busiest people I know who arealso the most fit. Active moms being one example of this demographic, I wroteabout them a while back during the craziness of 2020 (that blog post can be foundhere http://myonedayisnow.blogspot.com/2020/05/we-do-hard-things-active-moms-share.html)

They shared some awesome inspiration for what keeps themgoing, and I love what each of them had to say. But I feel there may be even more tothis whole physical fitness thing than what we know about it on the surface. Exercisecan be spiritual. If I’m being honest, I think that we were made for more thanhating our bodies for our entire lives. We were made in God’s image - are weliving in this truth?  Goodness, I want tobe. Every day. And I have found some motivation to work on being physically fitin the best book ever.

1 Corinthians 6:13

Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, but Godwill do away with both the one and the other. The body, however, is not forimmorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.

* The body is for the Lord! And the Lord is for the body. If youhave an able body and CAN go for a walk right now, recognize what a gift thatis. And then go walk. Or run. Or swim. You get the drift.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the HolySpirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? Foryou have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.

* Honestly, this one could be it and then mic drop. It’senough to remember that we are commanded to glorify God with our bodies. TAKECARE OF YOURSELF. This is a commandment of love. He wants for you to be helpingyour body and not hurting your body. How are you doing this? Be honest withyourself.

Ephesians 5:29

For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes andcherishes it, even as Christ does the church.

* How are you “nourishing and cherishing” your body?

Romans 12:1

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, tooffer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, yourspiritual worship.

* "Holy and pleasing to God" – I thought about this after mylittle 30 minute You Tube workout today. I am thankful to Him for the abilityto move today. I am choosing to thank Him for the gift of an able body bymoving it.

1 Corinthians 10:31

So whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, doeverything for the glory of God.

* Everything means everything! Including your physicalfitness. Say a prayer asking for the motivation and opportunity to be healthytoday. Then give Him thanks after.

Psalm 139:14

I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful areyour works!

* He made you so wonderfully. Walk in that truth today andevery day.

Isaiah 40:31

They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength,they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walkand not grow faint.

* I know that you are tired. I am too. He will give you restwhen you ask for it. He will also give you strength when you ask for it. Hemade you to be strong. Don’t let the world tell you otherwise because the worldis a liar.

Galatians 5:22-23

In contrast, the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Againstsuch there is no law.

* Another big lie is that we have no self-control. The truthis even without motivation you are capable to get up and do hard things. Youcan do this because you were gifted self-control. Remember this always!

Being active looks different for everyone, but if you haven’tbeen living an active lifestyle I hope this encourages you to do so today. Ihaven’t had a gym membership in over a year but I choose to do quick YouTubeworkouts on my lunch breaks. Feel free to post in the comments what you like todo to remain active. You never know who is looking for a new idea.