The Balance of Life

Scripture: I Timothy 4:8

For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life, and also for the life to come.

Exercise and eating healthy are beneficial for the body; however, we should not get so wrapped up in disciplining ourselves physically that we neglect our spiritual walk with Christ. Even though our schedules are extremely demanding in this day and age, our life requires balance in all areas as much as possible. Taking care of ourselves is essential in order for us to be able to fulfill our God-ordained purpose in life.

Therefore, having a daily schedule that includes exercise as well as a healthy diet, will help us keep physically fit for the things we need to do. Exercise alone, or just eating healthy alone, is not enough for us to keep our bodies in balance. If we exercise and we do not eat healthy, the benefits of exercise are diminished. If we eat healthy and do not exercise, eating healthy is not maximized to the fullest potential, and the nutritional values that we could have gained, or limited (USDA, 2009).

If we continue to be physically and nutritionally out of balance, then our bodies will begin to shut down, because of the lack of paying attention to the bodies that God has given us. If we neglect our spiritual life with Christ, we will begin to shut down spiritually; thereby stagnate the purpose in which we are created for.

Therefore, it is important to have balance in all areas of our lives, including, spiritually, physically, and nutritionally, to fulfill our earthly purpose toward earthly and eternal blessings.

Reflections: 

• What areas in your life need balance?
• How can you help balance members in the body of Christ?
• What is your definition of balance?
• How can you be more balanced: spiritually, physically and nutritionally? 

Balancing our life according with the Word of God begins before our feet hit the floor, and our minds begin to race about the responsibilities of the day. When the God of our salvation wakes us with the morning air, and we think about Him, let us remember to keep Him in the forefront of our minds, and He will give us balance in all things.

Prayer:
Lord God, I thank you that you are the source of the air that I breathe, and you are the director of my steps every step of the way. I thank you for balance in every area of my life. Even in areas that appear to be off balance, you balance me. I know that you are in total control, and you are the center of the scale that balances me spiritually, physically, nutritionally, and every other area that I need to be balanced. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

For bodily: 4984
1) corporeal, bodily
 a) having a bodily form or nature
 b) pertaining to the body

Discipline: 1129
1) the exercise of the body in a palaestra or school of athletics
2) any exercise whatever

a) the exercise of conscientiousness relative to the body such as is characteristic of ascetics and consists in abstinence from matrimony and certain kinds of food

 Is of little: 3641

1) little, small, few

a) of number: multitude, quantity, or size
b) of time: short

c) of degree or intensity: light, slight

Godliness: 2150

1) reverence, respect

2) piety towards God, godliness

For all - 3956
1) individually

a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything

2) collectively

a) some of all types
 

Since it holds - 2192
1) to have, i.e. to hold

a) to have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep, to have or comprise or involve, to regard or consider or hold as

2) to have i.e. own, possess

a) external things such as pertain to property or riches or furniture or utensils or goods or food etc.

b) used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage or friendship or duty or law etc, of attendance or companionship

3) to hold one's self or find one's self so and so, to be in such or such a condition

4) to hold one's self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to

a) to be closely joined to a person or a thing

Promise - 1860
1) announcement

2) promise

a) the act of promising, a promise given or to be given

b) a promised good or blessing

Life - 2222
1) life

a) the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate

b) every living soul

2) life

a) of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature

b) life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

And also for the life to come - 3195

1) to be about
a) to be on the point of doing or suffering something
b) to intend, have in mind, think to

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Paul's Epistle - 1 Timothy 4 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 8 Dec 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ti&c=4&t=NASB >

Higgins, S. (2009). The Balance of Life. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing, http://www.higginspublishing.com, http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com (RP)

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2009). My Pyramid Tracker. Center of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Retrieved on December 8th, 2009 from
http://www.mypryamidtracker.com