‘Bodily exercise profits.’ 1 Timothy 4:8 NKJV

As you move into your forties, fifties, and sixties, you’ll tend to become more sedentary. One woman made a lifelong commitment not to sweat. Another one joked that the only reason for jogging was to look better at her funeral. A driver put this bumper sticker on his car: ‘I’m pushing fifty, and that’s enough exercise.’

The Bible says, ‘Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.’ Does that mean taking care of your body isn’t important? No, it means you must stay in balance! What’s the point of working to develop the virtues of a saint if you die before your time with blocked arteries? You say, ‘But I don’t like jogging or lifting weights.’

Then here’s some good news. A medical study found if you spend 45 minutes a day doing household chores such as mowing the lawn, you’ll enjoy greater longevity than those who are inactive. It’s even better if you do some push-ups and sit-ups, but it’s not necessary. If you fail to maintain your car, you have no right to blame the manufacturer. And if you fail to maintain your body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, you have no right to blame God.

You say, ‘But I believe in divine healing.’ And God promises it to you in His Word (see James 5:14–15). But He expects you to use faith—and wisdom. So put down your phone, get off the sofa, and do a little home clean-up or repair. Not only will your house look better, but you’re likely to live longer.

SoulFood: 2 Kings 18:17–20:21, Mark 16:1–20, Ps 80:12–19, Pr 13:13–16

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©