tHE SPIRITUAL BENEFITS OF EXCERCISE

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BRAIN POWER

 Countless studies have highlighted the positive impact of exercise on brain health. Physical activity provides a surge of blood and oxygen to the brain, effectively clearing the mind of stress, anxiety, depression, sadness, and anger. A healthy brain enhances your capacity to engage with spiritual practices such as reading the Bible, concentrating during prayer, and empathizing with the needs of others.

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PHYSICAL AGILITY

A resilient, healthy body serves to rejuvenate our spiritual journey, granting us the capacity to offer assistance beyond the capabilities of others. It facilitates the expulsion of toxins and waste from our system, preventing the accumulation that leads to lethargy, illness, and exhaustion. Opting for a sedentary lifestyle devoid of regular vigorous physical activity results in weakened muscles and organs, leaving the body vulnerable to illness, much like weeds overtake an untended garden. Such inactivity transforms us from helpers into dependents, contrary to the proactive stance we should strive for. While unforeseen circumstances may necessitate assistance for some, embracing a lifestyle of inactivity is a choice we should actively avoid.

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A SENSE OF PURPOSE

Engaging in activities like mowing someone else’s lawn, participating in park, roadside, or beach clean-ups, or contributing to community building projects by applying a fresh coat of paint offer dual benefits: they allow us to be productive while also providing an opportunity for physical exercise. This kind of purposeful physical engagement not only fosters a sense of achievement but also encourages us to look beyond our own concerns. It infuses our lives with meaning, thereby enriching our overall sense of well-being.

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RESISTANCE TO TEMPTATION

 You may have heard the saying, "Idle hands are the devil’s workshop." Although not directly stated in the Bible, this proverb holds significant truth. God instructed his people to work for six days and rest on the seventh (Exodus 20:8), a command established even before Adam and Eve's transgression in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:3). Choosing idleness over exercise or productive activity often leads to opportunities for less virtuous pursuits. Conversely, engaging in regular exercise and useful physical activity contributes to the strengthening of our character, enabling us to resist temptations that may lead us away from God.