But those who hope in the Lord

When exercising first thing in the morning, your thoughts—biblically speaking—should probably begin with gratitude. After all, Psalm 118:24 reminds us, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” So, before you even start thinking about how sore your muscles might be tomorrow, it’s good to acknowledge that God has given you another day to use this body of yours, even if you’re not quite sure why He thought burpees were necessary.

Now, as you stretch, jog, or lift those weights, let your mind focus on how “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). This means you’re not just doing these exercises for vanity or that beach body—although, hey, God made the beach too—but to honor the vessel He’s entrusted to you. You wouldn’t let cobwebs gather in a temple, so why let your body stagnate?

It’s okay to smile while working out too. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says, “There is a time to laugh,” and surely that includes when you’ve tripped over your own shoelaces mid-run or attempted yoga poses that make you look like a confused pretzel. God, who gave the ostrich its awkward wings (Job 39:13), knows that we’re not all gazelles on the track.

But let’s be real—during that third set of lunges, it’s tempting to think of things like, “Jesus, take the wheel—or at least this dumbbell.” But, be reminded that Philippians 4:13 declares, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That includes pushing through your workout when all you want is a nap or a doughnut. So, when you feel the burn, just imagine it’s spiritual refinement. After all, James 1:3 teaches that “the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” You thought that only applied to life’s trials, right? Well, it turns out it also applies to push-ups.

Finally, as you finish your workout, take a deep breath and give thanks. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.” Now, whether you felt like an eagle or a clumsy penguin during that run is another story, but your soul is soaring, and that’s what really matters.