Five Stones: The Essentials of Manning-UpSample

Stone 2 – Be Strong: Transform Your Mind.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2. ESV

Notice how Paul refers to our bodies as something we present to God in worship?

Many would say that he meant we should abstain from committing sins with our bodies and being careful about what we put into our bodies, but I believe the flipside is also true. How we take care of our bodies, can be an act of worship as well.

And notice how the following verse calls us not to be conformed but transformed. It’s like Paul is saying when our bodies are healthy and holy, it opens the door to our minds to follow suit. Paul challenged his readers to stay in physical shape to also maintain their mental strength. In fact, pushing your physical limits a little bit further, also strengthens your mind. Just ask any athlete, soldier or first responder.

As we train and strengthen our bodies, we build mental toughness as well. Especially if you train in ways that continuously challenge your abilities. It is not about just maintaining the status quo or simply hitting the gym only to swipe the card, use the sauna or feast your eyes on the talent around you.

Being in better shape physically puts us in a better place mentally. And when you allow God into this equation, He renews and transforms you to become the man He created you to be. A man who can step-up with strength of character and brightness. A man with a strong physique and an even sharper mind!

Today we read how David referred to God preparing him for battles, equipping him with skill and strength. It’s obvious that a guy like David, who was both warrior and worshiper, was referring to this in both the spiritual and physical sense. But what is it that connects the wires between our spirit and our flesh?

It’s the mind! And David had to have a clear mind and strong faith when leading his band of brothers into battle. He had to have the skill and strength of someone in fighting fit condition to physically do this. David knew where his strength came from, and he built upon that strength to keep his mind set on being a man after God’s own heart. David knew that his physical, mental, and spiritual being had to work in unison. And so do ours!

Maybe physical training as God intended it, is more about how it makes us feel than simply how it makes us look. Maybe it’s more about what it equips us to do with our entire being than only about enabling us to show off our bodies.

Doing hard things regularly, and doing physical things often, will lead to your mind being transformed and toughened up to endure and achieve greater things. Allow God to transform your mind as you discipline and train your body for His glory.

Meditations on Manning-up:

- What are your thoughts on the relationship between physical and mental wellbeing?

- How have you seen this play out in your life?

- What can you start doing to develop a sharper mind, body and spirit?

- What do you need to pray for today?