Friday Discussion: Importance of Being Healthy

I’m using the LoseIt application. I’ve downloaded it on my iPhone, iPad and laptop. It keeps up with my calorie intake and my exercise each day. Some of those closest to me have picked on me for how intense I’ve been. Someone saw me recently looking to put a few M & M’s in the app. I didn’t eat a whole package.

I’m not tremendously overweight, but over the last year or so I’ve picked up an extra 8 to 10 pounds and I can feel it. It’s impacted my running, which is my way to relax. It’s made my clothes tighter. It’s made me more conscious about what I wear. More than that, I just haven’t felt as good as I did before I gained the few extra pounds. It’s really affected the quality of my life. I’m determined to get back to my ideal weight. As busy as I am, I can’t afford anything that slows me down that I can control.

I know health is a touchy subject. Some people have medical issues that keep them from exercise. Others have dietary concerns. I don’t mean to offend anyone who may be overweight. For me, however, this is an important issue. My physical health seems to impact every other part of my life, so if I can do something about it, I feel almost an obligation to be healthy. I realize I may be in a minority among some pastors, so I am curious enough to make it a Friday discussion topic.

Consider these questions:

Is it important that we monitor our health?
Is it important for a leader to be physically healthy?
Does a leader’s health determine how well you listen to them or take his or her advice?
Do you want your doctor to be in shape when he or she tells you that you should be in shape?
Let me take it a step further. Would it be a sin to not take care of your body?
Are there any special requirements as believers to be healthy?

What do you think? Share your thoughts on the importance of being healthy. Dialogue. Discuss. Debate if you will…

Let me hear from you.

You can read a couple posts I did about this issue HERE and HERE.

Bonus points: Tell me how you maintain your health. What’s your plan?

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@lantzhoward · 730 weeks ago

This morning while I was finishing my workout I actually thought about why health issues are not talked about more often in church circles. It may not be a sin issue as it is self control with one's life. Thanks for battling this topic.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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ronedmondson 127p · 730 weeks ago

Thanks Lantz.

Uma Maheswaran S 80p · 730 weeks ago

◦Is it important that we monitor our health? -- Yes
◦Is it important for a leader to be physically healthy? -- Absolutely, yes
◦Does a leader’s health determine how well you listen to them or take his or her advice? -- To a certain extent, yes.
◦Do you want your doctor to be in shape when he or she tells you that you should be in shape? -- Yup!
◦Let me take it a step further. Would it be a sin to not take care of your body? -- Biblically, we are asked take care of our physical health. (Failure to take care may not be a sin per se)
◦Are there any special requirements as believers to be healthy? -- To change the world, we need to equip ourselves first. It's begins our physical fitness first.

To maintain my health, I run / jog daily. And go for healthy natural foods ( and not junk foods). Nothing special other than this.

1 reply · active 730 weeks ago

Thanks for dialoguing.

@AaronSebastian7 · 730 weeks ago

I have been thinking a lot about this the last few days, and I was glad somebody is talking about it. Thanks!

I was thinking last night about being good stewards of what God has given us, and how that affects our health. If we believe that we are the caretakers of our bodies, like we are of our money, time, possessions, etc.. Are we being good stewards of our bodies? Do we need to look at the concept, "eating to live", and not "living to eat"? God is ultimately in control of everything. Are we doing the best we can, with the information we know, to maintain our health?

This can be a touchy subject, and I am not out to offend people. I do however, think it needs to be discussed.

@m_scarbrough · 730 weeks ago

First, I'm jumping in here as someone who *definitely* has work to do in being healthier. So I speak from a place of conviction rather than expertise. :-)

I guess what strikes me is how nervous we are about offending people when we talk about being healthy. Other than Ron's careful proper qualifying statements about medical conditions, etc. -- how could one believer be *offended* to hear another talking about trying to stay healthy?

I guess i have a hypothesis -- which is that we hold our bodies to be our own. Thus when someone talks about health and that bumps up against what WE feel we ought to get to do with OUR bodies...there's the offense.

But I thought we were "bought with a price" and that these bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? If so, we can claim no ownership (and thus no offense?) when others simply share their desire to care for their bodies.

Or maybe the "offense" is just how we deal with the sting of a little thing called conviction...ouch.

Good word Michael. Thank you

Michael H Smith · 730 weeks ago

Ron,
I have been working on a church staff for 30 years and have become increasingly concerned at the health and lack of concern over living a healthy lifestyle of those in ministry. It seems it has become the norm for 'ministers' to pay attention to their spiritual and mental health and then say 'God will take care of my health.' Granted we are to pay more attention to our spiritual life, however we neglect our physical body. I want to live a life for God as long as I can and I realize my chances of living longer greatly increase when I take care of my physical body.

Thanks Michael.

@Bryankr · 730 weeks ago

I have always been told that when we marry our bodies no longer belong to us but to our spouse; When we accept Christ, our body is now His temple, not to mention the fact He paid for us on the cross, or that He made us, In my opinion, it is a sin not to take care of our bodies.
From the standpoint of a long time runner, I feel a lot better, sleep better, I'm able to concentrate better and longer because I work out. It is better for the people we work with if we do take good care of our bodies. Of all the things that go wrong with our bodies, many of them can be aided by a simple consistent work out.
Just my opinion.

Thanks for sharing. I'm still wrestling with the sin label, although I think having no regard, mistreating our body, could be a sin, but what's the line that's crossed. Eating artificial ingredients that cause stress to the body....would that be sinful? We all do that. Not exercising...is that sinful... I'm not arguing at all, really just wrestling through the lines...

@eccle0412 · 730 weeks ago

Yes-except I am not sure about "sin"? For some it may be but for some it may be sin to be vain and self absorbed. Balance and motive. It is hard but I try to always put people ahead of my sweat. Greeting people and even carrying Jesus name at times.
Honestly, it is hard for me to respect an overweight sloppy person. I try not to judge and am often convicted.
As a cardiac nurse I was convicted over 20 years ago. How can I teach my patients to walk, move and eat well if I am not. I am getting better with age. As I ran my Friday 6 listening to a fav podcast this morning I thought about how many years I pushed strollers up and down those hills. I started walking. Then I amped it up to running simply because it took less time. I still will say I don't like running but I can't keep my self from it any more. It is way too good for my spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health.
I wonder often how many people who are at the gym are practicing discipline.
As Christians we should set a standard for stewardship. That means the ins and outs of my mouth and caring for my "temple". A fruit of the Spirit, self control.
I am rambling a bit here but 2 last comments;
I don't feel pressure to "win" although a race inspires me to meet goals. I have victory!
As so many people talking to themselves while walking I can pray and sing and it's ok. God is hands free! Thoughts that come to mind while I run...

3 replies · active 729 weeks ago

I like your illustration as a nurse. I do think that's part of my issue. I know that I have a hard time encouraging people to get their whole life together, in a way that honors Christ, if mine is not together, or at least I'm not trying to get there. Not sure where the health issue rests with that, but I suspect there is a place for it in the discussion.

dsprtlydpndnt · 729 weeks ago

2 Peter 1: 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
INCREASING is the aim, not yet perfected. Result is efficacy and productivity. I wonder if that is the issue?
Efficacy and productivity, whether physical health or spiritual health. Efficacy displayed in God's glory qualified and productivity in God's glory quantified.

ronedmondson 127p · 729 weeks ago

Thanks for adding to the discussion.

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Join the discussion 16 Comments

@eccle0412 says:

April 15, 2011 at 9:06 pm

Yes-except I am not sure about "sin"? For some it may be but for some it may be sin to be vain and self absorbed. Balance and motive. It is hard but I try to always put people ahead of my sweat. Greeting people and even carrying Jesus name at times.
Honestly, it is hard for me to respect an overweight sloppy person. I try not to judge and am often convicted.
As a cardiac nurse I was convicted over 20 years ago. How can I teach my patients to walk, move and eat well if I am not. I am getting better with age. As I ran my Friday 6 listening to a fav podcast this morning I thought about how many years I pushed strollers up and down those hills. I started walking. Then I amped it up to running simply because it took less time. I still will say I don't like running but I can't keep my self from it any more. It is way too good for my spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health.
I wonder often how many people who are at the gym are practicing discipline.
As Christians we should set a standard for stewardship. That means the ins and outs of my mouth and caring for my "temple". A fruit of the Spirit, self control.
I am rambling a bit here but 2 last comments;
I don't feel pressure to "win" although a race inspires me to meet goals. I have victory!
As so many people talking to themselves while walking I can pray and sing and it's ok. God is hands free! Thoughts that come to mind while I run…
- ronedmondson says:
  
  April 15, 2011 at 11:45 pm
  
  I like your illustration as a nurse. I do think that's part of my issue. I know that I have a hard time encouraging people to get their whole life together, in a way that honors Christ, if mine is not together, or at least I'm not trying to get there. Not sure where the health issue rests with that, but I suspect there is a place for it in the discussion.
  - dsprtlydpndnt
    Twitter: eccle0412
    says:
    
    April 16, 2011 at 10:34 am
    
    2 Peter 1: 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    INCREASING is the aim, not yet perfected. Result is efficacy and productivity. I wonder if that is the issue?
    Efficacy and productivity, whether physical health or spiritual health. Efficacy displayed in God's glory qualified and productivity in God's glory quantified.
    - ronedmondson says:
      
      April 16, 2011 at 12:27 pm
      
      Thanks for adding to the discussion.
@Bryankr says:

April 15, 2011 at 7:34 pm

I have always been told that when we marry our bodies no longer belong to us but to our spouse; When we accept Christ, our body is now His temple, not to mention the fact He paid for us on the cross, or that He made us, In my opinion, it is a sin not to take care of our bodies.
From the standpoint of a long time runner, I feel a lot better, sleep better, I'm able to concentrate better and longer because I work out. It is better for the people we work with if we do take good care of our bodies. Of all the things that go wrong with our bodies, many of them can be aided by a simple consistent work out.
Just my opinion.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  April 15, 2011 at 11:43 pm
  
  Thanks for sharing. I'm still wrestling with the sin label, although I think having no regard, mistreating our body, could be a sin, but what's the line that's crossed. Eating artificial ingredients that cause stress to the body….would that be sinful? We all do that. Not exercising…is that sinful… I'm not arguing at all, really just wrestling through the lines…
Michael H Smith says:

April 15, 2011 at 6:32 pm

Ron,
I have been working on a church staff for 30 years and have become increasingly concerned at the health and lack of concern over living a healthy lifestyle of those in ministry. It seems it has become the norm for 'ministers' to pay attention to their spiritual and mental health and then say 'God will take care of my health.' Granted we are to pay more attention to our spiritual life, however we neglect our physical body. I want to live a life for God as long as I can and I realize my chances of living longer greatly increase when I take care of my physical body.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  April 15, 2011 at 11:40 pm
  
  Thanks Michael.
@m_scarbrough says:

April 15, 2011 at 4:33 pm

First, I'm jumping in here as someone who *definitely* has work to do in being healthier. So I speak from a place of conviction rather than expertise.

I guess what strikes me is how nervous we are about offending people when we talk about being healthy. Other than Ron's careful proper qualifying statements about medical conditions, etc. — how could one believer be *offended* to hear another talking about trying to stay healthy?

I guess i have a hypothesis — which is that we hold our bodies to be our own. Thus when someone talks about health and that bumps up against what WE feel we ought to get to do with OUR bodies…there's the offense.

But I thought we were "bought with a price" and that these bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? If so, we can claim no ownership (and thus no offense?) when others simply share their desire to care for their bodies.

Or maybe the "offense" is just how we deal with the sting of a little thing called conviction…ouch.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  April 15, 2011 at 11:40 pm
  
  Good word Michael. Thank you
@AaronSebastian7 says:

April 15, 2011 at 10:01 am

I have been thinking a lot about this the last few days, and I was glad somebody is talking about it. Thanks!

I was thinking last night about being good stewards of what God has given us, and how that affects our health. If we believe that we are the caretakers of our bodies, like we are of our money, time, possessions, etc.. Are we being good stewards of our bodies? Do we need to look at the concept, "eating to live", and not "living to eat"? God is ultimately in control of everything. Are we doing the best we can, with the information we know, to maintain our health?

This can be a touchy subject, and I am not out to offend people. I do however, think it needs to be discussed.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  April 15, 2011 at 10:06 am
  
  It is a subject with the potential to be offensive…or appear that way. I guess my passion for it comes from my experience with it and how much it helps my overall attitude and productivity when I'm more healthy. Thanks Aaron
Uma Maheswaran S says:

April 15, 2011 at 8:35 am

◦Is it important that we monitor our health? — Yes
◦Is it important for a leader to be physically healthy? — Absolutely, yes
◦Does a leader’s health determine how well you listen to them or take his or her advice? — To a certain extent, yes.
◦Do you want your doctor to be in shape when he or she tells you that you should be in shape? — Yup!
◦Let me take it a step further. Would it be a sin to not take care of your body? — Biblically, we are asked take care of our physical health. (Failure to take care may not be a sin per se)
◦Are there any special requirements as believers to be healthy? — To change the world, we need to equip ourselves first. It's begins our physical fitness first.

To maintain my health, I run / jog daily. And go for healthy natural foods ( and not junk foods). Nothing special other than this.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  April 15, 2011 at 9:21 am
  
  Thanks for dialoguing.
@lantzhoward says:

April 15, 2011 at 8:01 am

This morning while I was finishing my workout I actually thought about why health issues are not talked about more often in church circles. It may not be a sin issue as it is self control with one's life. Thanks for battling this topic.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  April 15, 2011 at 9:22 am
  
  Thanks Lantz.