Reprinted with permission.
PHYSICAL WALK
People are different in many ways, and having different levels of physical energy is on example. Those who have an abundance of energy and find it easy to be active during the day may even get only a few hours of sleep each night. Others need nine or ten hours of sleep and still may be low on energy by late afternoon. When evaluating the increased energy levels derived from exercising, we must keep in mind what was normal for us. It is unlikely that the normally low-energy people will reach the same level of energy as those who are normally high-energy. However, consistent exercising will help increase energy levels for all participants no matter where our normal levels are.
Anytime energy is produced, something must serve as the fuel. Food is the fuel we put into our bodies, and its quality is a major factor as to how well our bodies will perform. Well-balanced meals contribute to our bodies’ ability to generate higher energy levels. Likewise, poor nutritional choices can contribute to sluggishness and low energy levels. Failure to include our nutritional patterns and eating habits in our overall fitness plans will greatly limit our successes for total fitness.
As a nation, our eating habits have reached an all time low for nutritional value. The fast-food industry has convinced us they have what we need or want, and we have taken the bait. We must develop more self-discipline when it comes to where and what we eat.
- List three ways you feel a need for physical energy in your lifestyle.
- How can exercising help you fulfill the three needs for physical energy?
- Do you feel like a conqueror after you have exercised?
Improving the quality of the foods we eat will aid our bodies’ abilities to increase energy levels. People who work out consistently say they feel better and have more energy since they have been exercising. Most of us tend to be very impatient and want results quickly. However, we must allow enough time for us to become acclimatized to our new regime before we will notice the difference. Working out one day per week will not produce this new energy level, and working out twice a day, too long, or too hard can actually lower energy levels through exhaustion. Sometimes we rationalize about things in life that if one of something is good, then two must be twice as good. We must use common sense and remember we are exercising for general fitness purposes, not for the Olympics! Since time is required to make noticeable changes, patience is very necessary.
SPIRITUAL WALK
Our physical and spiritual energy levels will tend to fluctuate from day to day. Fortunately for us, God’s energy is consistent and always available. Energy from God’s love is forever present as long as we continue to accept Him, and the more we walk with God the more energy we will be able to receive. It is vital to stay close to the energy source, if we want to keep our spiritual batteries charged. His love will never leave us, but there are times when we choose to move away from God’s love. When we experience troubles and stress it is possible to become impatient and be tempted to forget the source of our energy and try to make it on our own. Fortunately, God’s patience is never ceasing, for which we should be very thankful. Lack of energy and not enough time are common excuses for not consistently serving God. When we study God’s word and talk to Him through prayer, we receive the energy we need to be faithful. If we continue our walk with God, diligently follow His Word, we are less likely to be tempted by the Enemy. Satan has no spiritual energy to give, just depression and death, and the stronger we believe in the Lord, the weaker Satan becomes.
- What in your life limits your service to God? How?
- What changes could you make in your life that would provide you with more time and energy for God?
- When do you feel the most energized spiritually?
There are many different sources of energy for man to use in work and play, and there are advantages and disadvantages of each source. Our spiritual source of energy only comes from God and there are also advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are related to serving and living with God and the disadvantages are giving up sinful things in this life that are appealing to us. The energy we might feel from sinful desires is only temporary and will lead to separation for God. Satan continues to try and convince us we can use our own personal energy and still be pleasing to God. If personal energy could be used for salvation, why is Satan where he is? Only the true spiritual energy from God will lead us to Heaven.
Consider how the following Bible verses relate to this topic:
Proverbs 15:29
Ecclesiastes 7:8
Romans 12:12
II Corinthians 13:9
Colossians 1:11, 29
II Timothy 4:2
Hebrews 6:12
