I don't know about you, but I'm not sure if those serving in the ministry put a priority on their physical health. Health is crucial to the longevity of ministry. My prayer is that I will continue to take care of what God has given me and serve. I am guilty of coming home only to sit and lounge around. I realized my direction is leading to me a destination of being out of shape, overweight and stressed!
What I have been convicted about lately is the lack of teaching and help for people in the church to take care of their bodies! Why do I say this? Have you been to a church dinner lately? Health is usually not the first item on the agenda! I am not saying it does not taste good, but usually it is not that good for you! What the church needs is encouragement to live to the fullest in all ways.
What I'm not saying is that we all need to be "health nuts" and begin to judge people who do not share our personal opinion on what foods are healthy or not. I believe that as ministers, we should be examples to others in how we eat and exercise. Exercise is not a set practice but whatever a person can do to maintain health in their body and mind.
If I continually eat junk food, fatty foods and lay on the couch each day I will become a lazy, unhealthy person. This would affect not only my life but those that I minister too. I might be going "out on a limb" on this but I would say that one of the crucial issues that is overlooked is taking care of our health. I usually eat the wrong foods (junk food, etc) when I am stressed or tired. I have to discipline myself to fill my body with the right food. America is at an all-time high on taking medication. If we are sick, we medicate. Medication can be helpful in the process but God has given us wisdom and practical logic to learn to take care of our bodies. My desire is to be healthy so I can be a better husband, minister, father (one day), and follower of Christ.