The Gym Was My Church
READ TIME: .75 cups of coffee
When is the last time you stopped your workout to thank God for what you were able to do with your body?
Well, if you’re anything like I was a few years ago I probably would have laughed at the idea. Workouts weren’t about worship, they were about me and my body. After pulling up to the gym in my perfectly paired Lulu outfit and powdered cheeks, I would pop in my headphones and jam out. One of my favorites being “Good for You” by Selena Gomez.
At the time, I thought that songs like this an others would help me focus on my goals, which happened to be to look good naked and be “lean”
My approach sucked and here’s why …
The gym was my church, and my body was the object of worship.
It was all about me, myself and I .
It felt good until, until I read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which says,
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?
You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Whether we realize it or not, we are ALL worshipping during our workouts.
MOST, follow the world’s advice and will worship their body or the body of others by comparison.
FEW, know how to make their workouts a part of their worship to the Creator of their body.
When we make our workout a part of our worship to God, here’s what can happen:
Unwavering Confidence: your confidence won’t shatter when you don’t make the lift, get the pull-up or reach your body composition goal. Because you know that your acceptance is NOT based on appearance or achievements, but on God’s unmerrited favor and mercy.
Unexplainable Peace: God doesn’t compare what He creates, and neither will you when you’re filling your mind with praise for the incredible gift that God has given you that is your body. You can kick body anxiety, shame, and guilt to the curb!
Unending Motivation: you won’t stop training when you don’t see results right away, because results aren’t the only reason you exercise. You are training for an unperishable crown, not one that will fade with time.
So how can you make the shift that I did to have all of these things?
Here's a sneak peak into how I point my clients to Jesus during our Deep Dive Identity Restoration Call included in all of my training packages:
True Strength Training Workout Strategy:
1. Get Still:
before your next sweat sesh, pray for 5 minutes. Ask God to empower you and thank Him for giving you a strong body
2. Turn it Up:
listen to music that sets your thoughts on God and how great He is (personal playlist post coming soon!)
3. Wind it Down:
during your cool down or recovery days, ask God to show you ways that you can use your strong body to serve others around you.
If this triggered you, then you might also want to check out my FREE Ebook, Stronger Body, Bolder Faith Guide (read page 17)
You are valued. You are loved. You are priceless.
YES! AND,
You are meant to worship, not be worshipped.
All the love,
Coach Laura
