Grace to be Physically Fit

You could be spiritually and emotionally healthy, yet flat on your back physically, not able to carry out the work God has given you. God made us finite and weak with so many limitations. I wonder if He did that on purpose, leaving us dependent His grace as we grow. I daily wrestle with this as I stumble along, striving to be a physically healthy missionary in Japan.

Most of us find we swing from one side of the spectrum to the other: either resting in grace or striving hard to grow. Yet throughout Scripture these go hand in hand. Even as we look at aspects of our physical daily life, we need God and His Word, as well as others, to speak this balance of biblical tension into our lives. We need challenges to grow, but only in the context of His cushioning grace.

It is only by His grace that we can do anything. We come before the Lord with our overflowing handful of weaknesses and limitations, trusting His grace to make something out of our mess. In our family we have a saying: “I am okay because of God’s Grace.” We need to speak that grace to ourselves and to each other.

Here are four areas of daily life where I am learning to give myself grace amidst the challenges to grow.

Sleep

God makes the world go dark at night. He also allows me to get tired. I know if I don’t get enough sleep, I get run down, sick, and cranky. It’s difficult to put work demands aside in order to wind down and fall asleep. But if I don’t, my whole family suffers. Some of us need more sleep than others. That’s okay. I need to accept my limitations and make choices accordingly. Be aware that the culture we live in is fast paced and demanding. Many around us don’t get enough sleep. Don’t let the unhealthy norm make it normal for you to be unhealthy.

What makes it hard for you to get enough sleep? What can you do about it?

Rest

Whether it is a few hours relaxing, a whole day off, or an extended holiday time away, we all need rest. Again, don’t let guilt or comparison with others rob you of needed rest. Most mission organizations have a high work value, as does our host culture. Therefore we need to prioritize, planning time to rest and recuperate, to be refreshed and renewed. We won’t last the long haul without it.

I tend to go, go, go, and then crash. I have learned the hard way that without enough of the right kind of rest, I collapse. I need input from others to gauge how much is too much. Always ministering to people drains me. I need quiet time away, even an overnight by myself without any demands from others. Sometimes I start reading an engaging book, just to make myself sit down and put my feet up. It’s not frivolous for me; it’s mandatory. I have also found simple things like a clean room, soft lighting, or relaxing background music speaks rest into my restless world.

What changes could you make in your home or to your schedule to enable you to rest more?

Exercise

We’ve all heard the challenge. And felt the guilt. The transforming key for me was finding something I enjoy. After painstakingly trying stacks of workout videos, I found the running path near my house with its blue skies and green trees. This exercise method beckoned to me with promises of time alone to think and pray. I needed a challenge though—first a 5K, then a 10. Both of these left me winded, but got my feet trotting. I needed grace, too. When I am sick, over extended, or can’t bear the heat, I give myself a grace break.

Regular exercise that gets your heart pumping and your legs moving actually gives you more energy, as well as helps fight off mild-depression.¹ I’ve felt the benefit of exercise these past years as I’ve literally run off heart problems. It’s worth the time, the energy, and every drop of sweat.

What’s keeping you from exercising like you know you could? Who can keep you accountable?

Diet

Eating healthily takes daily choices and prioritizing. We all know it takes more time and energy to make a salad at home than to buy a hamburger on your way home. I know, though, that I will feel better when I eat better. I struggle with this as the main cook in our house, because my choices don’t just affect only me, but also my family. Making an effort to make affordable, healthy food isn’t easy, but I know it’s worth it. Whether it’s choosing to drink more water or eat less sugar, eating nourishing, sustaining food helps me physically carry out the spiritual task of ministry.

In what ways could you use a challenge concerning what you put or don’t put in your mouth?

Thriving, not just surviving

Are you extending to yourself the same amazing grace that God grants to you?

Blanketed in this grace, God is growing us to be more like Him. This stretching, sanctification process sometimes hurts. Blind spots need to be addressed. We need to hear tough questions like: What lifestyle changes can I make that will bring me one step closer to thriving, rather than just surviving? 

1. “Benefits of exercise—reduces stress, anxiety, and helps fight depression, from Harvard Men’s Health Watch.” http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefits-of-exercisereduces-stress-anxiety-and-helps-fight-depression Accessed September 24, 2013.