As important as physical fitness is, it is also important that we keep in mind our “spiritual fitness”. Spiritual fitness can be developed by studying the word of God and strengthening our relationship with Him. I like to refer to this as working out with the word. The word of God bears fruit. Keep this in mind next time you find trouble or sorrow. God is always with you. When you confide in him you can find comfort, joy, and peace.
Comfort
In 1 Timothy 4:8 (NASB) the apostle Paul says, “for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
The Bible encourages us to spiritually exercise or train ourselves. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy that while there is some value to physical training, spiritual training or, as he puts it, "training in godliness" has far greater value, not only for this life, but for the age to come. There is comfort to be found in spiritual fitness.
Faith, trust, and belief in God is directly joined to the promises of God. You will discover in your workout with the Word that God has made many promises and offers many spiritual benefits. The Word of God will produce the faith that you need to receive the spiritual benefits it has to offer. In the bible you will find comfort in your sorrow or stress. God has prepared you to endure – sometimes it’s nice to be reminded.
The word of God will never leave you. Find comfort in the stable and steadfast Savior. The workout in the word is similar to a diet or exercise program offering, in addition to weight loss and muscle toning, the will-power needed to stay with the program. Jesus has prepared you to seek him when you are weak and when you are strong. He is always right on time.
Joy
In John 15:11, Jesus says: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
The joy you are to have as a Christian is the joy of Jesus. He says my joy, not joy like mine. Jesus wants to take the joy that He has and place it in you. The joy of Jesus is not a joy that comes and goes; it is constant. Jesus says, “that this joy will remain in you.”
Being a joyful Christian does not mean you will not have sorrow. In fact, John 16:22 says, “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” You will always have joy in your heart when Jesus is the source of your joy. He remains in your heart, unmoved and untouched by man.
Peace
Psalm 119:165 (NASB) says, “Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.”
God will not give you unrealistic expectations for your workout with his Word. He will tell you exactly what you can expect from the world and what you, as one of his children, can expect him to do for you. There is peace in knowing that God is everlasting and steadfast. His expectations will never change and his love willnever leave you.
In John 16:33, Jesus told his disciples, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." Jesus makes it clear. In the world, you will have trouble, but in your relationship with him, you will have peace, because he overcame the world. Jesus has not left you stranded!