We often categorize physical activity as very separate from spiritual activity, yet God instructs us to take care of our bodies. God made our bodies to function a certain way, and healthy eating and exercise habits are an important key to maximizing our potential. It is crucial to our health and fitness goals that we continue to examine the relationship between our spiritual, emotional, and physical development. Certainly, our spiritual development affects our emotional stability, as does our emotional stability affect our daily decisions. And, of course, it is our daily decisions that determine our lifestyle. An increasing awareness of all three aspects is required for continued improvement.

Once we establish a foundation of spiritual growth and emotional stability, it is much easier to effectively implement the laws that govern our body’s ability to lose weight and get fit. If progress slows, stops, or regresses, we should reexamine our respect for those laws. Without even a hint at being all-inclusive, this is an excellent checkpoint list that will help you stay on your road to success. 

Checkpoint #1-  Are you hungry for God?

If we are not cultivating a personal relationship with God, there will be dissatisfaction in our lives that can manifest itself in numerous ways. From feeling frustrated to feeling unloved, from feeling tired to feeling hungry, a lack of spiritual fulfillment can directly affect our relationship with food and our ability to exercise. This is one of the main reasons Americans spend over thirty billion dollars a year on weight-loss products and continue to get fatter. Food cannot satisfy spiritual and emotional hunger.

God’s presence or character is described for us in Galatians 5:22-23 as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is God’s desire to fill us. In the book of Ephesians, He says to “flood us” with His love, His character, Himself. He does this as we spend time in His presence. As we “fill up” with God, our character begins to take on His character. Is spending time with God and developing His character worthwhile? This very point is crucial to our success. There is no temptation that exists that one of these characteristics will not overcome. A fulfilling relationship with God, balanced by a healthy relationship with others, is vital to our total well-being. It is God who made us that way.

Over the next several weeks, I will post nine more Checkpoints for you.