Work It Out, Girl

Summer isn't even here, so why am I already thinking about bikini season and those painful trips and excruciating journeys to the mall in order to find the perfect swimsuit. Why does something so small have to be such a ginormous and depressing task? Most swimsuits only have about 1-2 yards of fabric incorporated. Some-even less! It's a self-vs-self, self-vs-society's skewed body image ideal, self-vs-mirror conflict. So….how do we prepare for the swimsuit challenge? We amp ourselves up with a great playlist on our Ipod, plan out our meals and work it out.

We say goodbye to carbs, sugar, fatty foods, fried meals and carbonated beverages and say hello to water, fruits, veggies, lean meats and the gym! We do whole-body cleanses, rid our body of toxins, ignore harmful additives and dyes and renew our inner self.  We sit in saunas, sweat through our tanks doing cardio, tackle circuit training and do other forms of crazy exercise. Even though it's a daunting task, it's so worth it to lose those 5, 10, 15, 20 extra unwanted pounds and gain self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment and begin a healthy lifestyle.  We feel like stronger, powerful and healthier women when we work out physically. With this being said, why is it so hard for us to work out spiritually??

It's so funny how superficial and shallow we can get. We will nearly kill ourselves for a flat stomach, but we will ignore an unfit relationship with our Maker. Our spiritual walk and relationship with God is hands down the most important thing a woman can have in her life. Our relationship with the Lord needs to be solid, strong and in-shape. Why can't we seem to get motivated to cleanse ourself spiritually, do relationship cardio and walk in full stride towards becoming the Godly women we were called to be? I think it's due to a pain, need for self-control and a sense of uncomfortable vulnerability that far outweighs any workout's demands. We have to be real, be open and continuously depend on someone else. Not always easy! Sometimes I'd much rather run 5 miles after a 30-minute circuit training session than have to address personal weakness and issues that deal with the heart and soul.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 specifically commands us to "have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it hold promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (NASB)

Girls, I'm telling you now. You can have the most amazingly gorgeous face and  fit and toned body but be spiritually weak and ugly. My favorite verse, Proverbs 31:30 states that  "charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." God does want us to take care of our body because he says that it is a temple, but what he truly cares about is having your whole heart. He wants your actions to reflect the One who lives within you, your words to speak Truth and your mind to be wrapped around holiness. He wants us to be lean, mean praying machines! He wants us to be Godly models of what a real woman should be.

My challenge to you is to hit the Bible full force, amp up your prayer life and work up a sweat with your heavenly Father. He's the ultimate personal trainer…and he's free!  Crunch your inner struggles, detox your unhealthy surroundings and run (actually sprint) from your binding sin. Don't get me wrong!  Keeping hitting up the gym and salad bars by all means, but start getting in shape spiritually. A thriving and healthy relationship with God  combined with a fit and toned body makes for one dynamite woman!

You can never go wrong with a Beth Moore bible study. If you want a challenge, definitely check her different series of studies out! And for a convenient, quick devotion, simply follow and interact with this blog and read past blogs of mine. You can also easily sign up for an In Touch Ministries booklet full of stories and weekly devotions that is mailed monthly! There is not excuse for not getting in shape! 

Work it out, girl! You are gonna be fabYOUlous!