When I was a much younger man I took my physical health serious constantly working out. Weight training, cardio, and calisthenics the only thing I didn’t worry about was what I ate, because I had a fast metabolism so I would burn off whatever I ate. As I got older my body just wasn’t reacting the same anymore especially after my first real knee injury. I was 22 years-old playing basketball in the park and boom! busted knee it was so bad I couldn’t even walk for about 2 weeks and even after that it was a struggle getting around. After visiting a Physical therapist friend of mine he said I severely strained my ACL. When I tell you that it is not a small injury believe me, because my knee still swells up after a jog. I say all that to say this our bodies are a temple that we should most definitely take care of, because all aspects of our health are connected. Mental health, physical health and spiritual health. If I had known then that just building up certain parts of my body wouldn’t prevent injuries to others I would have done more full body work outs. The same goes for the other parts of our lives, some of us build up strong careers and have no spiritual strength. etc

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” -Isaiah 41:10-

At the end of last year I finally returned to the gym with real a focus on getting my body healthier. After just a few weeks people started seeing results and I was getting compliments which made me take notice. I had to take a step back and evaluate what really changed in me and it was more than just my body, my mind was clearer than it had been in years. Ultimately it was my spiritual health that got the ball rolling once I began to get my vertical relationship with God right I was able to get my mind and body right. I also had accept the fact I couldn’t just eat anything I wanted anymore and accepting that fact was really hard. My relationship with Cheeseburgers were the stuff of legend, just writing about it makes me want one, but I couldn’t indulge that vice any more if wanted real results. Week by week I was able to lift more weights, run longer on the treadmill more of everything and it was great. It got so good that my wife began to join me at the gym and she always disliked the gym, but once she got into a routine it was on. We really began to motivate each other even more after that and it made our marriage better. We began to diet the right way we held each other accountable for every dietary slip, which was highly annoying but totally worth it. The good habits that we got from working out and dieting together we applied the other aspects of our life. You never really know how well someone is doing until you sit down and really listen to them. So we started carving out time to just watch movies, talk and pray.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” -3 John 1:2-

I will not deny that the last few months have been hard for me in terms of keeping up with my work out. We started off real strong by working out everyday in the house and then as time went on we just did it less and less. Everything else was still in motion the praying, the dieting, the talking it’s just keeping the energy up to stay super fit was gone. I still go hard twice a week but not with the same vigor as before and physically feeling bad is a horrible feeling for me. It literally starts to chip away at the other parts of my health little by little. Anytime I start to get that feeling of not wanting to…. I do it anyway, because I refuse to let that weakness take hold and win. You don’t feel like working out go work out, don’t feel like talking about what’s bothering you go call your bestie and have a chat, don’t feel like praying go to your quite place and go pray your most honest heartfelt prayer. “Once you start something it’s hard to stop” is really a double edged sword, because it goes for good and bad things. In the end all I can do is pray to God for wisdom and strength in all matters, because like I said earlier all aspects of health are connected. When my spiritual health is strong so are my physical and mental health, so if you’re having that issue of not feeling motivated to exercise try asking God for help. FYI, he has never failed me and he won’t fail you.

“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” -Jeremiah 17:14-

It’s funny when I started writing this particular post I thought it would be difficult, but God made a way like he always does. I have a passion for exercise, writing and God, so I’m glad I was led to put all three together. Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this blog post, You are and will always be appreciated. God Bless and don’t forget to keep Chasing God’s Way/ve