The importance of exercising your body can never be overemphasized. The Bible tells us, “Physical training is good...” (1 Timothy 4:8 NLT) When people get older—around 60 or 70—the waist pain they complain about, the pain that makes them unable to walk, is not sickness—it’s weakness. Their legs are weak. That’s why you see men using sticks or walking aids. It’s not sickness; but it’s weakness. The major support of the body is the legs. Your whole weight, from your head to your waist, is carried by your legs.

There are exercises that build the bones. Your legs need to be trained. If you don’t exercise, your bones will not be strong enough to carry you in the days to come. Old people don’t have to have waist pain—the reason some have is because they didn’t exercise when they were younger.

If you cannot do up to five press-ups, it’s because you haven’t built such capacity or strength into your system. And no one can pray that kind of strength into you. You have to train your body. Train your body to do more. We build physical strength as much as we build spiritual strength. The Bible says, “Bodily exercise is of some profit...” (1 Timothy 4:8 SBA) There is profit in exercise; physical strength and godliness complement each other.

Are you aware that someone who smokes, drinks alcohol, and is overweight but exercises regularly will live longer than someone who is thin and doesn’t drink, but doesn’t exercise? Exercise contributes to life. That’s why you must build systems that enable you to exercise set alarms and timers. You exercise because you don’t want to die young. You need your body to be strong for a long time to do what God called you to do.

Plan your life intentionally. Look at what God said: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health...” (3 John 1:2) Prosperity in life includes health.

Exercise is intentional. It’s not fun—it’s purpose-driven. If you want to live long and strong enough to fulfill God’s purpose for your life, you must exercise. Don’t wait to be in a wheelchair at 70 or 80. Train your body, build strength, and gain the knowledge you need to stay healthy. Make exercise a habit and be intentional about your physical well-being. Your body is God’s temple—honour it, strengthen it, and live fully to fulfill your God-given destiny.