I Corinthians 9:24-27 In a race, everyone runs but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around. Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to.
1Corinthians 10:13 Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust GOD to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for HE has promised this and will do what HE says.
[Living Bible translation]
Summary
In I Corinthians 9:24-27, the Apostle Paul describes the need to be disciplined and to persevere. Paul also describes the battle that each of us must wage against our bodily desires to do things that prevent us from winning our goals. With regard to food goals, the body may want to overeat or indulge itself, even though it may be detrimental to our own general health. With regard to fitness goals, the body may become sluggish or demanding, requesting that we give full attention to every joint pain or discomfort. With regard to spiritual goals, the body may wants to become the center of attention, requesting constant stimulation (e.g. watching TV, creating anxieties for us to “fret” about) rather than allowing quiet meditation on the Word of GOD or cause us to forget to have simple FAITH. The body may insists on priorities that focus on itself (e.g. constant shopping, overspending, making money to buy more things, doing “busy work,” ignoring other people and focusing of one’s own needs and wants) rather than GOD or helping others. Paul says it’s a real battle! But, it is a battle GOD can win!
Some of the training tips that Paul give us include the following:
- Run your race to win.
- Be prepared to deny yourself.
- Aim for “the best”.
- Run with purpose in every step.
- Stop playing around---get it done.
- Be prepared to make the body uncomfortable—that is part of the training.*
- Remember, you are not alone. Others have encountered problems on the way to victory too.
- Trust GOD—HE is more powerful than YOU. HE wants the BEST for YOU. HE is EMMANUEL/IMMANUEL (meaning “GOD with us”) and HE keeps HIS promises.
*If you have a medical problem or an injury be sure to consult your personal physician about your exercise program, discomforts or dietary goals.
MOTIVATION vs. DEMOTIVATION
Motivation is the drive, the spur, the reason, the inducement or those things that drive us to want to achieve a goal or action. But, Just as we can motivate ourselves into action, we can also demotivate ourselves (with words and thoughts) so that we prevent ourselves acting or achieving a goal.
Ways We De-motivate Ourselves:
For example, it is easy to convince yourself not to exercise or to not follow a good dietary program. Here are some of the “excuses” or things we “tell ourselves” and church lead to us not exercising or not achieving our food or exercise goals.
- I am too tired;
- I worked too late;
- I am too busy this week, this month, the first quarter of the year; most of the time;
- I don’t want to mess up my hair!
- I don’t have any gym clothes;
- I don’t feel comfortable going to the gym/exercise class. I don’t know what to do;
- I plan to work out when it gets warmer; but I don’t want it to be too hot or too cold;
- I’m afraid people will look/laugh/ at me;
- I’m too old (too big, too out of shape, too stiff, too un-coordinated; afraid) to do all that;
- I don’t have the money to join a gym---(and, even if the gym is giving out free three day passes, I’m not ready yet);
- I had a rough day; I deserve to eat this. I deserve to rest;
- I deserve “a treat” every now;
- It’s the holidays! Everyone eats during the holidays!!
- Everyone brings “junk food” to work.” I can’t help myself. It’s all around me;
- I always eat treats watching TV or watching movies;
- My kids (my family, my friends, my co-workers) like to eat “fast foods.” It’s what we do.
- I am too tried to fix a [real] meal tonight;
- I like to relax when I come home; I’m too tired to cook;
- I have too many things to do---the kids, fixing dinner, getting ready the next day, cleaning, working, who has time to exercise?
- It’s raining outside;
- It gets dark too early to try to exercise;
- I don’t like getting up that early to exercise;
- Maybe next week, next month, as soon as it warms up;
- This is my “comfort” food.
- My favorite programs come on TV that night!
Do any of these sound familiar? As a simple exercise, just put a check mark beside any of the above demotivating thoughts or statements you have had within the past year. When these thoughts and excuses “pop up” in the future, perhaps you can recognize them for what they really are----ways that you may be de-motiving yourself and preventing yourself from achieving your goals.
Ways To Motivate Yourself
There are also ways to motivate yourself to achieve your goals. Some motivational tips include the following:
- Visualize winning. The day before starting your goal, think about how you will feel to complete your day’s goal. Think about how good you will feel to complete just one day. Write down your goals or keep a calendar where you can check off the days when you completed your goal.
- Prepare the night before (e.g. lay out your running clothes, set your alarm clock, go to bed early, buy the necessary raw foods you need, make a list of the exercises you will perform, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for yourself and the others who are running the same race as you.)
- Chart Your Progress. Many trainers and gyms will provide you with a sample exercise card to chart your progress. Or, you can create an exercise card or workout chart for yourself. Just use a simple calendar, placing a check mark beside each day you worked out. If you used machines, list the minutes or the number of repetitions. You can do push-up or sit-up or wall squats at home. If you are performing arm raises and stretches, count your repetitions. An exercise journal will be a great motivational tool for achieving “one more” round.
- Create Your Own Cheering Squad. Tell friends and family members about your goals (e.g. going to the gym, taking a class, walking during lunchtime, eliminating certain foods, eating raw on Wednesdays, doing 10 good push-ups by the end of the month), so they can encourage you and cheer you on. Tell lots of people! It will help to firm up your commitment to your goal and hopefully provide you with support of family and friends. It may also encourage them to action, once they witness your success. Who knows how much you might change someone else’s life just by making a few affirmative changes in your own!
- Prepare for battle. Get rid of those things that will tempt you. For example, get rid of the foods that you should not eat in January. Unplug the TV. Create a workout space. Don’t “baby” yourself. If you experience some discomfort, consider it a victory! Tell yourself: “No pain, no gain!” “I can do all things through Christ which strengths me.”(Philippians 4:13). Tell yourself you are on your way to victory! Stay Positive. Visualize yourself getting stronger. Laugh! Be joyful!
- GO with GOD and pray for the others in your subgroup. Remember, you are not alone. Encourage someone else. Let GOD encourage you by reciting scripture as you work on your goal. Remember, in a relay race, every member of the team needs to be strong! Send an encouraging e-mail to at least one person in your sub-group per week. Coach each other. Send POSITIVE email! (e.g., I can’t wait until tomorrow when I complete my goal and when you complete yours too!)
- Persevere – What is important is not how many times you “fall down” or “fail to complete the goal” but how many times you “get up.” Thank GOD and praise GOD for your victories NOW!
Have Faith
The Bible tells us that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
One great leader put it this way: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” * Another put it like this: “Faith is like Wi Fi: It’s invisible, but it has the power to connect you to what you need.”
Another visualized faith in this way:
In 2017, let each of us “run our race,” and “make the jump and leap of faith.” Let us all pray to GOD for greater physical and spiritual fitness so that each of us can be what GOD wants each of us to be.
In 2017, run to win!
In 2017 Stay motivated, stay prayerful and BE BLESSED!
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*Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929. This year Martin Luther King Day is celebrated on January 16, 2017.
