“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:25–27, ESV)
I have always enjoyed athletic competition. The thing at which I excelled was competitive marksmanship. Some might think that this is not a strenuous activity and they would be right. The act of pulling a trigger on a rifle is not that physically demanding. However, I discovered that physical conditioning did have a significant influence on one’s success in the competition.
Muscle-tone was an important factor in holding the rifle steady in competition. Most championship shooters are in good physical condition. There are actually exercises that will improve the muscles necessary for holding a rifle steady. It is also important for one to control their breathing and heart rate as much as possible.
There is another issue in competing, sufficient sleep and the things we consume. Unfortunately, I have to admit that in this I was not too good while in college. I found that when I was exhausted, I did not compete as well as I could if rested. I also found that excessive alcohol consumption the night before a match was detrimental to a competition the next day.
You see, in any athletic endeavor, consistent discipline is essential for a person to perform at their peak. It is the same in every area of life. It is especially vital for our spiritual wellbeing and accomplishing our mission for the Lord. This is the point that Paul made in writing to the Corinthians when he stated,
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:25–27, ESV)
Paul looked at himself as an athlete competing for an imperishable crown. Here he used the word, stephanos, referring to a victor’s reward of a wreath placed on the head in an athletic competition. He realized that achieving such a goal required self-discipline. He realized that he had liberty as a believer in Jesus. Yet he also knew that he needed to keep this liberty under control. So, he ran his life with a purpose, disciplining his body, directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit so that he would not be disqualified for the goal.
While our spiritual wellness is of paramount importance, we cannot forget that we are also emotional and physical beings. Every area of our lives, spiritually, emotionally, and physically are uniquely interwoven and inseparable. Thus, any one of these areas have a direct influence on the others. If we allow ourselves to be physically unwell through a poor diet, lack of exercise, or substance abuse, this will have an adverse effect on our emotional stability and our spiritual lives.
Granted, there are certain health things that can beset us that are not within our power to eliminate. These are illnesses that we have not brought upon ourselves. However, even when we are afflicted, we must do the best we can to care for ourselves, spiritually, emotionally, and physically, so as we can run the race set before us to the best of our ability.
When I was going through my battle with stage four cancer, there were times when I did not feel at my peak. Yet the Lord spoke to me about this, “Do not give the devil the victory.” What I took from this was to continue to minister the word of God as long as I had breath and could speak. By God’s grace I was able to minister, not by human strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit. Is it not whether we feel good or not? It is doing the best we can even when we are not feeling well.
This is the point. Take care of yourself and do the best you can for the glory of God regardless of your position in life.
Renewing the Heart 