In a world full of fitness challenges, new fad diets, and ever-changing supplements that will only temporarily change our physical stature, why not challenge ourselves to change our thinking and focus on matters that will last for eternity?
After spending years in the fitness industry, I know the damage that the fitness world can cause to our mental status. We may not realize the damage it causes until it's too late; at least, that is how it was for me.
Been there.
Done that.
Not going back.
If you knew me in my fitness craze days, I am not the same person by the grace of God!
But don't worry; God has the ability to redeem what was damaged and turn it into something that brings honor and glory to His name.
Eat less, get skinny, and lift more to become slimmer, more toned, and stronger.
Do this to look like her.
Eat this.
Don't eat that.
Drink this.
Take this magic pill.
Take this supplement to make your workouts better.
Do this
Do that
Don't do this
Don't do that
Do this fad diet you know will never last, but everyone else is doing it, so why not?
Insert the never-ending cycle of the fitness world.
When will the "do this, don't do this" ever end? And for what? A "perfect" body? A body that fits society's standards of a Size 5 or less, a flat stomach, and a toned booty and thighs?
Man, how disappointed will we be when we get to Heaven, and God's view of a perfect body is actually the body we have right now? I don't know what God means when he says that we will get new bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15:50-58). But I sure won't waste any more time working on perfection when that reality isn't even possible on this side of heaven.
Not only that, but none of this works on what will truly matter in the end.
None of this strengthens our spiritual muscles or grows our faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.
This doesn't help the condition of our hearts. When we meet Jesus face to face after our last breath here on earth, he won't lift our shirts and judge our stomachs.
He won't have us roll up our sleeves to test our flex.
He is going to examine the health of our hearts.
The real flex will come with one of two answers:
Well done, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:23)
or
‘I never knew you. Get away from me. (Matthew 7:21-23)
That last one makes me cringe just thinking about it.
What I will work on is health and progress.
I want to be a better version of myself than I was yesterday by God's standards, not mine.
To become a little more Jesus each and every day.
Now, let me be clear: I DO believe that God fully intended for us to take care of our bodies. Why?
Because our bodies are made in God's image and are His temples, we are to look after and care for them.
He didn't intend for our bodies (or our minds) to consume junk.
We are daughters of the most High King.
He intends for us not to be couch potatoes or lazy.
We are called to build spiritual muscles.
We are royalty, and I believe God wants us to have the best of the best.
Let me back this up with some scripture real quick.
Genesis 1:27: "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
1 Corinthians 6:19: "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,"
Philippians 4:8: "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
2 Corinthians 6:18: "And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Proverbs 15:14: "A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash."
Proverbs 13:4 "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper."
1 Timothy 4:8: “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
1 Peter 2:9: But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
Back in my fitness craze days, the OG 75-hard challenge was probably something I would have done. But in today's reality, 75 hard just does not pique my interest, nor do I really think it's all that realistic or even healthy for our mind, body, and spirit. No offense, Andy. TWO 45-minute workouts? I can barely get two workouts in per week!! Yes, I know it's supposed to be hard.
I can't take credit for this idea. I give the glory to God where it is due, and I am sure I am not the only one to create a challenge like this, but this is the one that God has laid on my heart to share.
Let me introduce you to the 75-Hard Christian Edition Challenge.
It may seem like there are a lot of boxes to check off, but in reality, some of these things don't take much effort at all, and not all of these are daily!
Some of these may be hard for you, and some may push you outside of your comfort zone, but when you are stuck in your circle of comfort, you have no room to grow until you push yourself to grow and expand that circle.
If you can't check mark each day off perfectly, guess what... God gives you grace in your imperfections. Give yourself some, too.
God doesn't call us to be perfect.
God calls us to strive for progress and growth in our relationship with Him. This isn't a one-and-done but a daily effort, much like our marriage takes work or any other relationship, for that matter.
Keeping a healthy body our whole lives isn't a one-time workout or one day of eating healthy; we have to work at it each and every day to maintain overall health.
Relationships are the exact same way.
And a relationship is the entire point of knowing Jesus.
It's the entire point of our existence.
It will take hard work and dedication over a long period of time, but God is willing to help you through this process of health, well-being, and sanctification.
And remember, the only relationship that we can take with us to Heaven is the one we develop while we are here on earth.
Need help and accountability?
I have two tools for you!
The printable 75 Hard Tracker and an accountability group on Facebook! (Women only please)
Both can be found below:
If you are ready to take the 75-Hard Challenge, I encourage you to join the accountability group above to find an encouraging group of women who all think that faith and fitness are important and essential aspects of overall health for the mind, body, and spirit.
BONUS: Do you need some new Christian music to work out?
Since listening to only Christian music is part of the challenge, I started a Spotify workout playlist! Feel free to give it a listen!
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