Faith & Fitness Challenge - Week 2 (Stretch Your Muscles & Your Faith)

Blessings to you, friends! 

If you’ve regularly read my blog in the past, you know that I stepped back from posting weekly for a season to launch a second daily radio show I’m a part of: Everyday Relationships with Dr. Greg Smalley. Tune in if you need a good laugh and some encouragement in your everyday relationships. 

Last week we launched a very doable, life-giving, six-week fitness challenge. I’d love for you to join us and it’s not too late! Each week I’ll ask you to implement two disciplines; one for your physical health and one for your spiritual health.

Each week I’ll give away 2 copies of my book, Balance That Works When Life Doesn't to someone who posts on this blog). Today marks week 2 of a fun six-week faith and fitness challenge.

Congratulations to Nicole & Sandy (you both posted on June 17^th) – you each win a copy of Balance That Works When Life Doesn’t! (*Email me at Susie@MyFaithRadio.com with your mailing address and we’ll get the book out to you this week).

Here’s how it works:

Sign up for FREE at: http://myfaithradio.com/commit-to-live-fit/ 

Every Monday I’ll post on this blog and share a bit about the physical and spiritual discipline for that week. Every Wednesday you’ll receive a reminder email to encourage you along the way. At the end of the six weeks, we’ll draw two names to win gift baskets filled with fitness goodies. 

Each week you’ll add a very easy and life-giving physical and spiritual component to your daily routine. These disciplines are easy to do, but they’re also easy to let go of. These very doable disciplines add strength and vitality to our lives if we can make them a part of our everyday routine.

So, last week’s disciplines were:

• ·      Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day (or better yet, half of your body weight in ounces)
• ·      Read the Word of God every day

*Check out last week’s blog for more information.

Here are your two disciplines for this week:

Physical Discipline:

*Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Stretch Your Muscles – I’m telling you friend, if you take a few moments every morning and every evening to stretch your major muscle groups, you’ll feel a whole lot better and carry yourself taller! Here are some of the many benefits of stretching regularly:

• ·      Alleviates most body aches
• ·      Reduces stress
• ·      Improves circulation
• ·      Increases overall flexibility
• ·      Reduces occurrence of injury

Dangers of NOT stretching:

• ·      Higher level of muscle discomfort
• ·      Greater potential of injury
• ·      Decreased Circulation
• ·      Increased and recurrence of muscle/joint issues
• ·      Absorb stress in a way that diminishes health

Remember to stretch gently in the morning since your muscles will be stiff and not warmed up.

When you roll out of bed in the morning, face your mirror, stand with your feet shoulder width apart and bend your knees slightly (sit back slightly in squat position; shift weight to your heels). Place your left hand on your left thigh and stretch your right hand in the air (pointing upward – 12 o clock). With knees still bent and your left hand on your left thigh for support, and abs tight to support your lower back, gently stretch that arm overhead until you’re pointing 11 or 10 o clock). Then repeat on the other side.  Lie on the floor, put your hands under your knees and gently pull them toward your chest. If you’re able extend one leg in the air and stretch your hamstring; flex and point your toe to get that lower leg warmed up as well (and then repeat with the other leg). Stand up and take a few deep breaths by breathing in through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. Doing a few basic stretches like these will energize you and helps you feel ready for your day! It’s amazing what a difference a few moments of stretching will do for you. Repeat this routine again at night before you go to bed.

If you need more instruction when it comes to stretching, you’ll find a number of instructional videos on YouTube.

Spiritual Discipline:

Stretch Your Faith:  

Scripture says that we cannot please God without faith! So this week it’s time to activate your faith in a more intentional way. Each day this week, ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to believe Him for (is it rest? Provision? Direction? A future promised land?). Then start thanking Him by faith for His promise to you. Find a scripture to stand on and start living like His promises are true!

Also, make yourself available to Him each and every day. Ask Him to use you in ways that surprise you. Pay attention to that inner nudge and move when He tells you to move. Buy a cup of coffee for someone in need. Write a letter. Open a door. Reach out to a stranger. Listen for the Lord’s voice and then do what He says. Your faith is precious and priceless to Him!

Here’s why stretching our faith is so important to us:

• ·      Reminds us of who (and whose) we are
• ·      We grow in the things of God
• ·      We become spiritually conditioned to take the land God wants to give us
• ·      Reminds us that we’re pilgrims on this earth, just passing through
• ·      Reminds us that greater is He is who in us, than he that is in the world
• ·      We bring pleasure to God’s hear when we live by faith

Scripture for Faith Stretching:

•    Hebrews 11:6 ~ Without faith it is impossible to please God. Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

•      James 2:14 ~ What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

•    2 Corinthians 5:7 ~ For we live by faith, not by sight

Dangers of living an earthbound life:

• ·      We lose our sense of expectancy
• ·      We lose sight of our invitation to walk intimately with God
• ·      We miss out on an exciting faith adventure
• ·      We’re easily deceived by the enemy
• ·      We settle for far less than what God has for us

I’ll be praying for you as you add these healthy yet simple disciplines to your life. Also, each week I’ll give away 2 copies of my book, Balance That Works When Life Doesn’t: Simple Steps to a Woman’s Physical & Spiritual Health’ to someone who posts on this blog. 

Let’s do this!

May you flourish in health, both physically and spiritually!

Blessings to you this week~

Comments

[Wanda Draus]

I'm a week behind but as you say, "never too late." This will be good for me to try and discipline myself especially physically. I let the busyness of my life take over. My energy level is in the morning but by the time I do my devotions and prayers, then it's time for work or household chores. I joined a gym and their classes were not conducive to my schedule and I wind up not going. Hopefully these steps will help motivate me to make it a part of my life.

Love your radio program. My husband bought me an iPad so now I can bring you with me into the bathroom while I get ready for work. God's blessing as you continue to reach others with your show.

[Esther]

I absolutely loved last week. I drank water, and I soaked up the Bible. I cut caffeine (other than a movie theater) and diet pop out and have been carrying my Nalgene everywhere I go.
I started writing a devotional and have just been enjoying the things I've been learning along the way!
I'm excited to see what this week brings!

[Daphne]

I just started today and will play catch up this week. I believe this program will greatly help me to become more physically fit but most important spiritually fit!!! I need both!!! I am currently trying to reenter the work force after a 3 year battle with cancer and need all the physical help I can get. You don't realize how out of shape you become in such a short time. My relationship with Christ has strengthened incredibly over these years but there is certainly always room to get closer. I am really looking forward to the next six weeks to help me learn some new approaches & skills for a better life both physically & spiritually.

God Bless you for your help and inspiration!!!

[Sheryl]

I would love a copy of your book. I just listened to the initial podcast again on Sunday. I listened to stay motivated and received an extra blessing. Part of the message was something that I really needed to hear and spoke to me about something that was very heavy on my heart and not even related to the fitness challenge. That really made an impact about how it truly is all connected and needs balance. Blessings.

[Julie Sunne]

I took last weeks challenge and did okay. I don't touch pop or sugared drinks, so drinking water wasn't a problem, although it was hard to drink the amount called for. Being in the Word is already a daily habit, but the encouragement is always appreciated.

I love how easy these challenges are to implement--it helps everyone succeed in developing new healthy habits. The trick will be keeping them up for the long haul.

[Brooke]

This is one of those God-things! I received your book as a Christmas gift almost THREE YEARS AGO, and I haven't read it yet! I have a really close group of friends, and God has been speaking to all of us in this season about balance in all areas of our lives. Just this past Saturday, we threw around the idea of doing your book as a group study. I think this is a great sign that we are on the right track! I would love to get a second copy of your book, so that I could surprise one of my friends with it! Thank you for posting this "challenge" - I'm going to go sign up now! :)

[Carrie]

I love this faith and fitness challenge. I've never asked God to show me what he wants me to believe him for. He knows me better than I know myself. God is so good.

[Pam B.]

I, too am a week behind but began today with the water. I actually drink very little else but the quantity is the challenge. I measured out 1/2 my body weight in ounces and put it into a pitcher to help me with goal setting and it has worked well today. I am beginning the stretches tonight and am very hopeful that every effort I make to increase my spiritual and physical fitness will be well worth it. I am in the Word often but have made a new commitment that this summer I will increase my time in reading and study. This is a hard season for me and I need the additional "meat". Thank you for all of the encouragement, Susie!

[Sherri]

Thank You! for your inspiring and enlightening writings. I do not have this book, but I have been focusing on take care of the Lord's temple which is my body. I want to be able to serve Him to my fullest ability. I am stretching to grow in His word, to praise Him in the heavens, and to reach out and serve. Blessings to you!

[Rebecca]

Thank you for showing us that we need balance in our lives. It's most helpful to grow physically AND spiritually. I've been trying to drink more water and am definitely enjoying more time with the Lord in the mornings! The stretching feels great, and I love the surprises that God plans for me...asking Him this simple question will undoubtedly be special!

[Grace]

I am enjoying this challenge. I have my first child and it is easy to let lift get out of balance. I feel like I am re-learning how to do life with a lot of distractions. This challenge is reminding of the basic, important things. Thank you! I would really like to read your book. It sounds like it would fit my life right now :)

[Mary Bryson]

Loving your inspiration and challenges - learning to listen and step out in faith, as well as, learning to take care of my body the way God has intended for me to take care of it. I do not have this book either, but am enjoying your blog.

[Diane]

Thank you, Susie, for your encouragement to follow through with this Faith and Fitness Challenge. I did notice that by increasing my water intake in the first week, it made a difference in my weight loss. Now I just have to keep it up and some days are better than others. Thank you also for your advice on stretching our bodies as well as our minds. We all know this, BUT we forget. I ask the Lord each day to surprise me and use me for His honor and glory and it's wonderful to be paying attention to those little nudges He gives and know are ready and prepared to respond. There are so many blessings each and every day that we can miss if we are not paying attention. He is sooooo good :) I love listening to your programs every day and want you to know what an encouragement you are to me and so many that I forward the podcasts to. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

[Lisa]

Thanks you Susie for allowing God to use you once again in my life! I love this challenge...and it is so awesome to know that someone is on the journey with me! God is soooo good!