Today, my struggle is physical.

I’m 14 weeks pregnant and the reality is, I haven’t exercised properly throughout that duration.

Living under tier 3 lockdown, looking after a toddler and feeling tired are my excuses.

And that’s just fitness… if I dare to glance back at last week’s food intake, I immediately start feeling guilty.

I know I am not moving and eating as I should. I also know that I have daily opportunities to start afresh and develop new, healthy habits.

Yet, it’s only now that I sit down and write – with mug of hot chocolate in hand (!) – that I realise what it is that is holding me back…

It’s me!

It’s thinking that I will start tomorrow. It’s thinking that I don’t have time. It’s my attitude of ‘just do what you can to get through today…’ It’s my habit of watching television, every evening, with a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate.

It’s the lack of daily thought I give to my health.

I know what healthy eating could mean for me, my body, my mind and the baby I am carrying. I have learnt that exercising regularly through pregnancy is just plain brilliant, on so many levels. Yet, I go about my day mindlessly thinking that I will change my unhealthy habits “another day…”

But the truth is I don’t have to live mindlessly collecting bad habits. I can admit to doing this and then walk forward in grace…

• I can implement healthy habits, slowly and intentionally.
• I can let the Holy Spirit guide me through this.
• I can envision the healthy woman I want to be.
• I can set up goals and accountability that will lead me to becoming this healthy, thriving mother that has enough energy to write, carry a baby and look after a toddler.

It’s not about exercising to pile on stress and pressure and more on the to-do list. It’s about trusting God with my calling and doing my bit. Keeping my body healthy so He can work in and through me.

It’s not that He can’t work in and through someone who isn’t physically fit and well. I simply believe that we are stewards of all He gives us. Just as we can budget our finances well, so we can be good stewards of our bodies, deciding to look after it as best as we can.

I think of this verse from the bible:

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.

1 Corinthians 6: 19 – 20, NIV.

We have a choice to steward our bodies well. If we do, we will please the Holy Spirit who lives in us. And we will honour our God. If we do not steward our physical health as well as is possible for us, we displease the Holy Spirit living in us and dishonour our God.

So, practically, where do we start? What steps can we take when we are physically struggling?

1. Pray the Holy Spirit will lead.

The Holy Spirit lives inside of us. He knows all our thoughts, He knows how we spend our time and He can gently prompt us to take a healthy step. Ask God for opportunities to exercise, which would suit your schedule. And then trust He will answer.

Don’t make the mistake of trying to implement a heavy training programme or a rigid healthy eating routine straight away. Your goal is to be guided by God; to set up sustainable habits that will stand the test of time. You don’t want to burn yourself out or even injure yourself just because you tried to do too much too soon! Slow and steady really does win the race!

2. Be obedient.

Whatever God is leading you towards, embrace it with open arms! He has grace in abundance for you. Don’t make excuses, but instead trust God’s leadership.

In the past, I have been led to amazing exercise classes in which I have built lasting friendships. I have also completed specific healthy eating plans that have made me feel incredible! Believe me, whatever God’s leading you to it will be good, even if the idea initially makes you cry!

3. Commit.

One-off experiences are great but habits will truly change your life, on a daily basis. It’s important to commit to staying healthy. I find that after a few weeks of living a healthy life, I am ready to disengage from my newfound habits. It almost feels like I’ve ticked a box and don’t need to do it anymore! But I need to commit to looking after my body on a daily basis… forever!

Maybe God’s leading you to a specific goal or task that will help you stay focused on health this season. Nevertheless, even after the season ends, make sure you wait on God for His next idea. Don’t switch off as soon as you lose the weight or build the muscle. This needs to be a big commitment.

4. Remember your why.

As mentioned, taking healthy steps blesses the Holy Spirit living inside you and it honours God. But some of you will really need to get to grips with your reason for doing exercise.

You will live longer. It will help you manage a particular disease. You will have more energy for your kids. You will be able to do exciting things, because of your physical ability and capacity.

Whatever your main reason, write it down and stick it somewhere where you can see it every day.

Stay motivated. Be accountable to somebody; get a friend to check in with you, on a regular basis.

5. Trust God.

Some of you have health issues that exercise cannot cure. My advice? Do what you can to steward your health as well as you can. Then, believe and trust God to do all that you cannot.

For example, I have to take medication that I really dislike – yet, I prayed about it and I know it’s the right thing for me now. I also trust God will go above and beyond.

The bible says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV.

As I write today, I just feel that some of you have hardened your hearts towards God’s healing. Maybe you are feeling disheartened, because you have to take medication. You think He has let you down. Be honest with Him about your disappointment – your physical struggles. He will give you hope for healing. I know it.

Conclusion…

This week, I believe that God is talking to me about stewarding my health well.

As un-spiritual as it sounds, I think some of you reading this will also feel prompted to exercise and eat well. For some of you, I feel like this is a key that will propel you to your next season. A way of moving forward with grace.

I just want to say: you can do this. Take the time to pray about what and the rest of the details will fall into place.