Motives in Marriage for "Working Out"

I have been going through a sort of refining the past year and a half over my health and fitness self-view. . . Or should I say ‘health and fitness God-view’.

It all came with our move to a new state, a colder state and a more isolated setting. This brought a change in my workout routine and my ability to continue using a gym facility. With this came a slight change in my weight. I felt discouraged at the thought of what it will take to get “back to what I used to be”. Thankfully my ears were open to the Lord, and I heard ever so softly, “are you working out for the approval of man or because it is healthy for your body”?

You see, my entire life I had been insecure about my body — insecure because of comparison — insecure because of fear — insecure because of my lack of understanding in how beautifully and individually I was made. This did not magically go away when I got married either, in fact it got worse! I had this unhealthy belief that looking a certain way would guarantee my husbands approval and ensure he would never go astray.

The truth is, we can not control any outcome. The truth is healthy comes in all shapes and sizes. The truth is that everlasting beauty is on the inside. The truth is that if we are working out for the approval of our husbands, we are still searching for the approval of man and when we put that power into the hands of others we will forever be powerless. I know that seems like a hard pill to swallow, because I am also a big believer in taking care of our bodies out of love and respect for our husbands, however we must really let the truth sink in over our ability to carefully maintain the body we have been given as a temple of the Lord.

Why am I calling our bodies a temple of the Lord? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) says,

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

God wants us to take care of our bodies in honor to Him. Can you ask yourself if you are truly working-out and eating healthy as unto the Lord and not for man? Lets remember Colossians 3:23,

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”

I know for me personally, not only did I need to check my heart but I needed to replace some of the lies with the truth of what beauty really is. When I started to remind myself of the promise God has for me, my marriage and my ability to be beautiful for my husband, my self-confidence increased.

Proverbs 31:30 (ESV) “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

1 Peter 3:3-4 “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.”

2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

So be encouraged ladies! We don’t need to feel insecure about ourselves in comparison to other women or fear loosing our husbands attention, because “who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” - Luke 12:25. Together, lets honor God with a balanced workout schedule and healthful eating, allowing enough time in our day to get into the word of God and let His glory be the beauty radiating from the inside out.

If you need help practically applying this in your own life, reach out to me so we can schedule a coaching session soon at https://www.wifeandlifecoaching.com/

Blessings,

Michelle x