Maintain Momentum4 Steel Balls Hanging from a rack. The first red ball is in motion to hit the others.

Health Habits for Sustained Ministry Impact

These unique times present unique opportunities for Christians to serve and shine the light of Christ in difficult circumstances.  Remember that wherever the Spirit directs us to serve, our physical bodies will be a vehicle for that service or, at least, come along for the ride!  To serve well, we will need our physical bodies to help, rather than hinder us, in our God-directed service.  This is true in the middle of this crisis and in the aftermath.  We must maintain momentum previously built from good habits.

For most of us, daily routines have been disrupted in every area of our life including the practice of good health habits.  We are now in a position where we must adapt our daily health habits within the four key areas of health – Eat, Move, Cope & Rest.

Survive? Or THRIVE!

 

The temptation now is to go into survival mode.  Survival brings the practice of good health routines to a halt until the crisis is past.

Keeping our bodies fit for service is like a stopped train on the railroad track.  Getting a train in motion and headed in the right direction is difficult.  The task requires a tremendous amount of time and energy. Therefore, maintaining momentum – however slow or small – is important!  The same is true for the good health habits that we need to stay healthy and energized for effective and enduring ministry impact in times like these. If we bring the consistent practice of good health habits to a halt and abandon all routine, we will lose valuable energy.  And restarting those routines will not be easy.

Proverbs 24:33-34, reminds us that small behaviors can have big impacts:

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest –

and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

Stay On TrackStay on Track Move Forward with railroad tracks in background

Likewise, when we abandon our routines and settle into a lifestyle of a little less exercise, a little more unhealthy eating, a little less sleep, and a little more time on mindless activities, the negative impact on our ability to stay energized and equipped to step into action may be bigger than we think.

Maintain momentum.   Our good health habits during this time of disruption are important for staying healthy.  Those habits will hjelp us remain energized for the work ahead of us.  

We should be good citizens and follow pandemic-related public health recommendations.  But let’s also focus on keeping our bodies fit for service so we can have a successful and sustained ministry impact!

What good health habits will you commit to practicing in the weeks to come so you can serve well in these difficult times and beyond?

This article courtesy of Good Health For Good Works

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