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When we are not functioning well mentally and emotionally (our psychological dimension), it affects our physical and spiritual lives. When we are not functioning well physically, it affects both our psychological and our spiritual lives. 5:23).Īnyone who has done much counseling is well aware of how these three dimensions interrelate. This is why Paul prayed for the Thessalonian Christians that they might be sanctified completely, that their “spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. On the other hand, maintaining a healthy spiritual life “holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. But, as Paul implies, physical exercise benefits us only in this life. There is evidence that it may add months, and perhaps years, to our lives. It adds to our endurance, and it helps us to be more mentally alert and emotionally stable and resilient. Physical exercise, when it is done properly, is definitely beneficial. Here Paul used the word gumnazo, which means to exercise vigorously, either the body or the mind. We cannot reach the goal of becoming mature without being disciplined “in all things.” This is why Paul exhorted Timothy, “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Tim. In essence, Robyn’s story is a modern-day elaboration on the metaphor Paul used in 1 Corinthians to illustrate what it takes to live a victorious Christian life. Though a Jew, Paul grew up understanding Greek and Roman culture, particularly the commitment to develop physical strength and mental concentration in order to engage in vigorous competition in the various Olympic and Isthmian games. He grew up in Tarsus, a great center for athletic contests.
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Paul was particularly intrigued with the athletic analogy. Second, Paul used this word in several athletic illustrations to describe the importance of being disciplined when living the Christian life. First, this basic concept is used in ancient Greek literature to describe a person who is strong and robust. Personally, I prefer the word “disciplined” for two reasons. She not only disciplined herself by running, but also in a number of other ways, including her diet.Īs Paul concluded his maturity profile in his letter to Titus, he used the word egkrate, which is translated “temperate” in the King James Version, “self-controlled” in the New American Standard Bible and “disciplined” in the New International Version.
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Because of her strict training program, she was in excellent physical condition. Within five minutes, she was breathing normally and experiencing very little muscular discomfort. What impressed me even more was her physical condition after she had run nonstop for 26 miles. It paid off, because she completed her first race averaging an eight-and-a-half minute mile. Frankly, I was rather amazed at her commitment and self-discipline. Robyn continued this regimen for several months. By midafternoon I was in deep trouble fortunately, I made it down without having to be carried off the mountain on a stretcher. I thought I was in fairly good shape physically, until I tried to keep up with her pace. During this period, I well remember spending a day mountain climbing with her in Montana. She launched into a strict training program, running an average of six miles a day and 20 miles every Saturday. When our daughter Robyn was a student at Baylor University, she decided to compete in her first marathon.