Have you ever attended a grumpy exercise class? Or have you encountered rude people at the gym? Most likely, the answer is no because people are happy when they move their bodies, making exercise a great way to connect and cultivate a positive community. This is why ministries like Men’s and Women’s Alliance are so popular and effective. They marry the biblical community with the Bible’s call to care for your body. Fast friendship and a sense of community are quickly cultivated in this context. Lives are changed when these vital components that boost emotional, physical, and spiritual health are fused. One of the best ways to grow in a friendship and care for your body is to walk with a friend. Sharing this time is a chance to connect while staying motivated to meet your exercise goals. Make your commitment to exercise a communal one, and you will see the benefits of this practice multiply quickly over time. We must acknowledge that each part of our tangible body impacts how we engage with God. If our nervous system is overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or trauma, we are going to struggle to connect to God and the other people in our lives that he has called us to love and care for. In a tough season in our home, I found that every day, I was struggling to be patient and kind to my kids. I soon realized that I was struggling to maintain the character I wanted to display in my home because my nervous system was overrun by stress. I began waking before my kids in the morning to walk, run, do a short-weight circuit, and read my bible. Just this simple practice of moving before being required to respond to all the questions and needs that my kids wake up with helped transform my interactions with my kids. Sometimes, the answer to what feels like an overwhelming spiritual problem can be solved by some very simple, practical new rhythms of daily movement of our bodies. Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Everton Vila
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God’s Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
