November 9, 2023 • 27 mins
What if the obsession with physical perfection contradicts your spiritual beliefs? Listen in to a thought-provoking conversation with Aaron of WHY to Fitness as we navigate the rocky terrain of pride and how it can derail your fitness journey. We shine a light on the often-overlooked dangers of excessive focus on fitness, including body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and mental health issues. Drawing from the biblical tale of Nebuchadnezzar, we underscore the perils of arrogance and the need for humility in our approach to fitness.
Join us as we redefine fitness goals through the lens of faith, challenging conventional wisdom and questioning the motives behind our relentless pursuit of physical perfection. Aaron, with his blend of pastoral counseling and fitness coaching, imparts invaluable insights into achieving a balance between spiritual, mental, and physical health. Listen in to this engaging episode as we pave the way towards a fitness routine that prioritizes glorifying God over fueling vanity.
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Aaron O'Connell (00:03):
We got to take practical steps to remain humble
in our fitness journey.
We got to set goals that honorGod, not just our vanity.
We have to change our why.
Examine yourself.
Why are you in the gym?
Why are you dieting?
Why are you working out so hard?
(00:25):
Is it for selfish ambition oris it to glorify God?
Welcome to the WHY to FitnessPodcast.
I'm your host, aaron O'Connell,and today we are talking about
the pitfalls of pride in fitness.
The Bible warns in Proverbs16-18 that pride goes before
(00:49):
destruction, a haughty spiritbefore a fall.
Is there healthy pride or isall pride sinful?
Healthy pride, I would say, issatisfaction from achievements.
But sinful pride isself-exaltation, because it's
not necessarily wrong to takepride in something we've done
(01:12):
well.
This kind of pride isn'tboastful or self-centered, but
is a feeling of satisfactionover what we've accomplished.
Solomon, in the book ofEcclesiastes, declared nothing
is better than that a man shouldrejoice in his own works.
(01:33):
But sinful pride, the kind thatthe Bible condemns, is far
different.
Sinful pride is self-centeredand boastful and it makes us
take credit for everything thatwe are and everything that we do
, instead of realizing that weare dependent on God In our
pride, we ignore God and believewe can get along without him.
(01:57):
The Bible says in the pride ofyour heart, you say I am a God,
but you are a mere mortal andnot a God.
That's in Ezekiel 28-2.
The tragedy is that prideblinds us to our faults.
More than that, pride blinds usto our need for God.
(02:19):
Pride.
We become self-confident andindependent and we see no reason
to humble ourselves before Godor seek his wisdom and help.
But pride is a dead-end roadand eventually it catches up
with us.
Unfortunately, we understandthat in multiple places of our
(02:44):
lives, but when it comes to ourfitness, pride runs rampant.
We think we got it figured out.
We don't need to bring God intoit.
Let's follow this man-made diet.
Let's do it all for our ownimage.
Matthew 23-12 says for whoeverexalts himself will be humbled,
(03:10):
and whoever humbles himself willbe exalted.
We see it all the time with allthe constant selfies on the
Instagram, on social media,everyone exalting themselves.
Look at me, look at me.
That's how pride manifests infitness.
It's focusing on the outwardappearances, comparing oneself
(03:36):
to another.
That's why there's so muchmental health issues going on,
so much comparison, so muchdepression that is running
around rampant because we'recomparing ourselves to others.
But when you find those that arein fitness, even Christians,
(03:58):
what are they doing?
They're focusing on theiroutward appearance.
You go look around at all thesequote-unquote Christian
personal trainers, christianhealth coaches, and what are
they focusing on?
They're focusing on outwardappearances.
They're focusing on selfishambition.
(04:18):
What can you achieve?
Get into your best shape, let'sget you that six pack, let's
get you the body of your dreams.
But James 3-16 says for whereyou have envy and selfish
ambition, there you will finddisorder in every evil practice.
(04:38):
Examine yourself.
Why are you in the gym?
Why are you dieting?
Why are you working out so hard?
Is it for selfish ambition or isit to glorify God?
(04:59):
Philippians 2-3 says Do nothingout of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility,consider others better than
yourselves.
How much comparison goes on inthe gym.
How much selfish ambition, vainconceit.
(05:20):
I see it all the time Everyonelooking towards their own goals
and you rarely get anyone toanswer.
How does that glorify God?
Is it really making youhealthier, because healthy isn't
just I can lift more, or I'meating this certain way, because
(05:41):
most people don't see it as thetotality of their whole lives,
if you're struggling to dosomething right and creating
stress.
That very stress could beholding you back.
Pride has a barrier to progress,because James 4-6 says God
(06:05):
opposes the proud but showsfavor to the humble.
If you want God's favor, wecan't have pride within our
fitness journey.
It can't be about our six packs.
It can't be about our biggerbooties.
It can't be about our moretoned legs.
(06:25):
All those things are vainconceit.
Instead, it should be how can Iglorify God more?
How can I be healthier?
We need to replace thisphysical perfection that we're
(06:46):
trying to go after and go afterGod more, or else fitness is
becoming an idol.
Ask yourself do I feel like I'mputting more time and effort
into my body than I am intoglorifying God?
(07:06):
Am I putting more time andeffort and focus on my diet, on
my workouts, than I am doing thepurpose that God has called me
for Helping others, servingothers, worshiping Him, reading
the Bible, praying.
We can't have thoseflip-flopped.
(07:34):
Pride can really get intounhealthy behaviors as well,
such as over-exercising,improper dieting, using
performance-enhancing drugs.
Just go look around, look atall these quote-unquote
Christian trainers, christiangym goers, and you ask them are
(07:57):
you taking anything?
And so many will say, oh, I'mon testosterone, oh, I'm on this
type of performance-enhancingdrug, all these things because
if I didn't have them I couldn'tbe myself.
They're relying on something.
They're using these things tomake them feel okay, to make
(08:18):
them try to be better.
They're not utilizing God'samazing body that God breathed
into creating his own image,because of that unhealthy
behavior.
I'm not saying that all of it isunhealthy.
I truly believe you can usetestosterone in a healthy way,
(08:41):
but most people aren't.
They have no clue how manycalories they should be eating,
how much protein they're getting, what they're doing.
They're over-training, they'reunder-eating, they're relying on
these things.
And then they're wondering whytheir bellies are bloated, why
they can't get rid of these lastlittle bits of fat, whatever it
is, because they're relying onthese substances.
(09:04):
For what?
So they can live a better lifehere on earth.
We're only temporary citizenshere.
We should be doing everythingfor the glory of God.
Whether you eat or whether youdrink.
Do it all for the glory of God.
The Bible says it's very hard,very hard, to justify
(09:28):
testosterone usage to bringglory to God.
It's hard.
Probably only a handful ofpeople that can.
That's my story I've had when Iwas bodybuilding, when I was
taking steroids, when I was allabout myself when I was
competing, but still trying tonavigate Christian life, trying
(09:52):
to figure it out, counting thecost, proclaiming to everyone
that I am a Christian people.
If someone would come up to meand say, hey, how do you justify
steroids?
And I would try my best tojustify what I couldn't.
I was so focused on becomingbetter.
But what did better mean?
(10:12):
Well, it was a comparison toanother person, so I could be
more cut than that person,bigger than that person, even
when people would say, oh no,it's just so I can be better
than myself.
Well, there's pride.
Again, it's all focused on self.
We need to do things to getbetter for God.
(10:34):
We don't need steroids, wedon't need these unhealthy and
proper diets or over-exercising,because it's going to kill your
adrenals and then more healthissues are going to come.
And then, when you startdeveloping in it, when you're
getting to your 40s, your 50s,all these types of things,
(10:55):
you're going to blame it on age,when really it was improper
living, improper working out,improper dieting, using these
supplements, taking 400, 300,500 milligrams of caffeine
before every single workout,just doing all these things for
what?
So you can feel okay, so youcan feel superior.
This goes against everythingthat the Bible says.
(11:17):
Yet you have so many peoplegiving high fives, saying good
job, way to take care ofyourself, but they really don't
understand what true health is.
They're caught up in theirpride.
Let's look at the story ofNebuchadnezzar in Daniel 430 to
37 and the consequences of hispride.
(11:39):
Here he's looking over thiskingdom.
Or let's make it like abodybuilder here's
Nebuchadnezzar looking over,looking into the mirror,
admiring his pecs, admiring hisbiceps, like look at what I
built, look at all the work thatI'm doing, look at the diet
that has got me here, taking allcredit for himself, not even a
(12:04):
acknowledging God.
He did this for his kingdom andwhat did God do?
He struck him right there.
For seven years he had towander around eating grass like
a donkey, went out of his mind.
There's no coincidence that alot of people that are focused
(12:25):
so hard in the gym have bodydysmorphia, have eating
disorders, struggle withdepression, struggle with
anxiety, struggle with all thesehealth issues.
Because they're doing it andthey're creating this false God,
(12:46):
this fitness iron God.
That is the thing that's goingto change them.
But instead we need to be morelike John the Baptist.
We need to be like John theBaptist, where in John 3.30 he
said he must become greater.
(13:07):
I must become less.
We've got to stop focusing onourself and look how we can
glorify God.
I myself am somebody that doestake major I won't say pride,
(13:27):
but what I will say is that Iwill.
It's not that self-centered,but I take very, very well
satisfaction in myaccomplishments.
Inside the gym I do.
But when someone asks me whatthe goal is, my goal is to be
(13:47):
ready and capable for anythingGod or the devil throws my way.
My goal is to bring more peopleto Christ.
My goal is to help othersrealize that this gym, this
workout, these diets meanabsolutely nothing.
This is just a way to stayhealthy, to be ready to do and
answer the call of God.
That looks different foreveryone.
(14:09):
You don't have to be in therepounding out major weights.
You don't have to be.
Maybe you don't even need to bein the gym.
You just need to be ready andcapable whatever God lays on
your heart.
But we got to drop the pride.
We need to emulate Jesus in ourlives and our fitness routines.
He was so focused what he wasdoing, but he took the time If
(14:34):
someone came up and took him offhis path.
He'd go oh no, I gotta eat myfood.
Oh no, I gotta get my workout.
No, they were the first one.
He would be the first one togive it up and go help that
person move.
He'd be the first person to belike, oh okay, let's go eat this
, sure, okay.
So then he wouldn't be any typeof comparison.
He wouldn't make that personfeel bad for eating some certain
(14:55):
type of way.
No, he would meet them wherethey are, at stoop, down onto
their level, eat the food that'sput in front of them and say,
hey, how can I help you?
And if you are doing all theright things and you're not
struggling and you're notstressing to do these things and
you're really focused onglorifying God, it will become
(15:16):
easy.
You will find freedom.
Then, when someone puts thatpizza, when they put those
desserts right in front of you,you'll be able to eat them.
And when they say, how do youstay so fit?
You eat these foods, that'syour opportunity to preach about
Christ.
But if you're stuck in somepattern of this world and you're
(15:37):
saying I have to do this, Ihave to do this, you're probably
gonna end up being selfish.
You're probably gonna end upbeing all about yourself and not
have and overlooking at waysthat you can minister to others.
We got to take practical stepsto remain humble in our fitness
journey.
We got to set goals that honorGod, not just our vanity.
(16:02):
We have to change our why.
Why do you want to get fit?
It's not to go.
So I can have my six pack, so Ifeel good.
Got to make my booty bigger soI can attract a husband?
No, let's set goals so I cantake care of my temple, like 1
Corinthians tells me I should,because it's my temple.
(16:23):
Whether you drink, do it allfor the glory of God.
So I can take care of thisamazing gift that God gave me.
So I can take care of my body.
So I can be here as long as Ipossibly can to showcase what a
God-fearing, god-followingperson looks like, how peaceful
(16:44):
they can be.
So I can be able to go into themissions field and not have to
worry about if I'm overweight orif my insulin jumps, or if I
can't eat for two days, that allof a sudden I'm low blood sugar
.
Oh, no, passing out All theseare worries, but if you have
your health under control, ifyou are physically fit if you
(17:06):
know you can go run a mile inseven minutes.
You're not going to sit hereand be like, oh, I can't do this
, I can't help this person.
Let's set goals that reallyhonor God and not just our
vanity.
Let's embrace community andaccountability so we can be
(17:29):
humble in a culture that oftenpromotes that self-glorification
.
Let's embrace it.
Let's get a bunch of band ofbrothers around in a sport, in a
fitness realm where it's justso selfish.
So about yourself?
Let's bring other people around.
Let's go.
Let's take the time to spreadthe gospel within the gym.
(17:52):
Now make it big.
Oh, I can't talk.
Oh, they're on my machine, ohno, and just like no.
Let's take that time to embracecommunity.
But instead, unfortunately,everyone's trying to just be so
loud of look at me, look at me,look at my booty pop, look at my
(18:13):
, look at them.
And they're showing up withtheir booties hanging out, their
boobs hanging out.
All these girls they got, yougot men that are constantly
flexing in the mirror.
I'm not saying any of this iswrong, but you have to look at
it as like are you spending moretime looking at yourself,
comparing yourself, findingpride and happiness in your
looks?
Are you going on your socialmedia and bursting out and
(18:36):
looking at this prideful like,look at me, look at me.
You come, look at what I have.
Are you a personal trainer or acoach that says, look at what I
have, you can have this too.
Let's take a lesson from firstThessalonians 411 through 12.
Let's make it our ambition tolead a quiet life, to mind our
(18:59):
own business and to work withour hands so that our daily life
may win the respect ofoutsiders, so that they will not
be dependent on anybody.
Let's showcase how we can justbe shining bright, like the face
of Moses off Mount Sinai.
Let's dedicate everything toGod.
(19:19):
Let's be peaceful in all thatwe do.
Let's be willing to help others, to give advice to other people
.
Let's be willing to give up themachines that somebody else may
want.
Let's smile at other people.
Let's not be all about self andsay, oh, these are my goals,
just be like.
No, I'm just here to glorifyGod.
What about you?
Let's take the time to helpothers.
(19:43):
That's what this is all about.
And, like I said, pride willaffect your psychological and
your mental health as well.
Stress is going to come frommaintaining too much pride
within your physical, you willget older, your performance will
(20:05):
go down.
If it's all about your pridefulself, all about you versus you,
which, if it's you versus you,one has to lose and that's going
to be you.
But if it's all about you allthe time, things will go wrong.
We are living in a sinfulnature.
You will then be stressed, youwill feel burnout, you will have
(20:27):
social isolation.
All these things are going toaffect your mind.
We need to be renewed by thetransforming of our mind, not
screw up our mind by ourtransforming.
Also, we have the spiritualtoll of pride.
We're going to distanceourselves from God's grace.
(20:48):
Matthew 10.39 says whoeverfinds his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for mysake will find it.
Are we too busy investing in ourown lives, investing in our
worldly selves right now, or arewe going to do it when we can,
but at any moment?
When God calls we drop it, wecan drop it.
(21:11):
We don't have to be in the gym,we don't have to be doing it.
There are no half-twos, thereare a lot of get-twos.
Where do you fall on that?
Let's nurture the fruits of thespirit in our fitness regime.
Our regiment should besurrounded with love, joy, peace
(21:33):
, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control that's what ourroutines should be surrounded
with.
Not no pain, no gain, no love.
Love for the temple that Godgave us.
Joy for the ability that hegives us to move, because at any
(21:55):
moment your arms could getblown off, you could be
paralyzed, you could get in anaccident.
All these things let's take apure joy that we get to wake up
and go move, that we get to movethese massive amounts of weight
, whatever it is.
Not I have to do this forsomething else.
No, find joy in the journey.
Let's find peace in what we'redoing, not stress.
Let's have patience for ourchange, for our transformation,
(22:20):
because God is in the businessof results.
We're in the business ofobedience.
So let's do this out ofobedience when we're in the gym.
When we're out of the gym, let'sshow kindness to others, not
flex over our masculinity or ourphysical prowess over people.
Let's be gentle with otherpeople.
Let's live life withself-control, not these major
(22:41):
binge eating disorders withthese other.
With this let's just go eat andstarve ourselves and fast and
these back and forths where youjust can't control yourself and
then you're just making it allabout the food and you're just
so focused on food and it lookslike you're just a glutton when
you finally get around that.
These are not things that arewinning believers over.
(23:03):
It's putting people off.
Let's not do that anymore.
There's too much danger.
When you take pride into thefitness realm, we need to be
humble.
(23:23):
I really encourage you all toreflect on your intentions and
your practices within yourfitness journey.
Ask yourself why am I doingthis?
Why am I working out?
Why am I wanting to change mybody?
Everything should focus to God.
(23:44):
Everything should lead to God.
I do this within my clients.
It's the Y exercise.
Every single goal that you haveshould point back to God.
Why do you want to get fit?
I want to get fit so I can feelbetter about myself.
(24:04):
Why is getting fit going tomake you feel better about
yourself?
Oh, because then I'll be ableto have more confidence.
Why is getting more fit goingto get you more confidence?
Because then I won't be fat.
Oh, that's not a good goal.
It's not pointing back to God.
But if you can say I want toget more fit, why?
(24:24):
So I can be a better parent formy kids, so I can inspire them?
Why, because God put them andtrust it into me so I can and I
want to lead them to God.
Why?
Because that is my purpose inlife?
Because God created me.
Why?
Because that brings glory toGod.
Boom, perfect.
Do the Y exercise.
(24:45):
Sit there, write all your goalsand ask why you want them and
have them all point back to God.
And when that happens, that'swhen God will show up.
That's when God will give youthe peace that passes all
understanding.
That's when he'll give you thefavor that you're searching for.
That's when you'll probablyremove those roadblocks that you
can't figure out how to getover, because now you're not
(25:07):
doing it all for yourself orself and out of pride, but
instead you're doing it all forthe glory of God.
Or maybe he'll radically changeyour desires and make you okay
with being where you're at andnot have to get to this next
level just to flex it over thenext person, to make yourself
feel special, because youalready are chosen.
You already are God's child.
(25:28):
You already are fearfully andwonderfully made.
You are made in His image,which is so beautiful.
You are ready, perfect, the waythat you are once you give your
life to God.
Let's be vessels for Him.
Let's do it all for God.
Let's seek balance and keep Godat the center of all of our
(25:50):
pursuits, including fitness.
If this resonates with you oranything, please give me
feedback on the Y2 Fitness page.
Y2 Fitness at Instagram,facebook, y2 Fitness Aaron at Y2
Fitness, tell me your storiesabout this.
(26:12):
Reach out to me.
That's what Y2 Fitness is allabout.
I marry pastoral counselingwith fitness coaching, because
you can't, and then with thatyou have the spiritual, you have
the mental and you have thephysical.
You have to have all threebecause you can't separate them.
(26:34):
If you're struggling with yourpride, if you're struggling with
unforgiveness, if you'restruggling with anxiety,
depression, all these things,and you're using fitness as the
cure, all nothing.
It's not gonna work.
That's why I balance it all out.
If you need help, please reachout.
Thank you all for listening.
(26:56):
This is Aaron with Y2 Fitness.
You all have a great week.
We got to take practical steps to remain humble
in our fitness journey.
We got to set goals that honorGod, not just our vanity.
We have to change our why.
Examine yourself.
Why are you in the gym?
Why are you dieting?
Why are you working out so hard?
(00:25):
Is it for selfish ambition oris it to glorify God?
Welcome to the WHY to FitnessPodcast.
I'm your host, aaron O'Connell,and today we are talking about
the pitfalls of pride in fitness.
The Bible warns in Proverbs16-18 that pride goes before
(00:49):
destruction, a haughty spiritbefore a fall.
Is there healthy pride or isall pride sinful?
Healthy pride, I would say, issatisfaction from achievements.
But sinful pride isself-exaltation, because it's
not necessarily wrong to takepride in something we've done
(01:12):
well.
This kind of pride isn'tboastful or self-centered, but
is a feeling of satisfactionover what we've accomplished.
Solomon, in the book ofEcclesiastes, declared nothing
is better than that a man shouldrejoice in his own works.
(01:33):
But sinful pride, the kind thatthe Bible condemns, is far
different.
Sinful pride is self-centeredand boastful and it makes us
take credit for everything thatwe are and everything that we do
, instead of realizing that weare dependent on God In our
pride, we ignore God and believewe can get along without him.
(01:57):
The Bible says in the pride ofyour heart, you say I am a God,
but you are a mere mortal andnot a God.
That's in Ezekiel 28-2.
The tragedy is that prideblinds us to our faults.
More than that, pride blinds usto our need for God.
(02:19):
Pride.
We become self-confident andindependent and we see no reason
to humble ourselves before Godor seek his wisdom and help.
But pride is a dead-end roadand eventually it catches up
with us.
Unfortunately, we understandthat in multiple places of our
(02:44):
lives, but when it comes to ourfitness, pride runs rampant.
We think we got it figured out.
We don't need to bring God intoit.
Let's follow this man-made diet.
Let's do it all for our ownimage.
Matthew 23-12 says for whoeverexalts himself will be humbled,
(03:10):
and whoever humbles himself willbe exalted.
We see it all the time with allthe constant selfies on the
Instagram, on social media,everyone exalting themselves.
Look at me, look at me.
That's how pride manifests infitness.
It's focusing on the outwardappearances, comparing oneself
(03:36):
to another.
That's why there's so muchmental health issues going on,
so much comparison, so muchdepression that is running
around rampant because we'recomparing ourselves to others.
But when you find those that arein fitness, even Christians,
(03:58):
what are they doing?
They're focusing on theiroutward appearance.
You go look around at all thesequote-unquote Christian
personal trainers, christianhealth coaches, and what are
they focusing on?
They're focusing on outwardappearances.
They're focusing on selfishambition.
(04:18):
What can you achieve?
Get into your best shape, let'sget you that six pack, let's
get you the body of your dreams.
But James 3-16 says for whereyou have envy and selfish
ambition, there you will finddisorder in every evil practice.
(04:38):
Examine yourself.
Why are you in the gym?
Why are you dieting?
Why are you working out so hard?
Is it for selfish ambition or isit to glorify God?
(04:59):
Philippians 2-3 says Do nothingout of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility,consider others better than
yourselves.
How much comparison goes on inthe gym.
How much selfish ambition, vainconceit.
(05:20):
I see it all the time Everyonelooking towards their own goals
and you rarely get anyone toanswer.
How does that glorify God?
Is it really making youhealthier, because healthy isn't
just I can lift more, or I'meating this certain way, because
(05:41):
most people don't see it as thetotality of their whole lives,
if you're struggling to dosomething right and creating
stress.
That very stress could beholding you back.
Pride has a barrier to progress,because James 4-6 says God
(06:05):
opposes the proud but showsfavor to the humble.
If you want God's favor, wecan't have pride within our
fitness journey.
It can't be about our six packs.
It can't be about our biggerbooties.
It can't be about our moretoned legs.
(06:25):
All those things are vainconceit.
Instead, it should be how can Iglorify God more?
How can I be healthier?
We need to replace thisphysical perfection that we're
(06:46):
trying to go after and go afterGod more, or else fitness is
becoming an idol.
Ask yourself do I feel like I'mputting more time and effort
into my body than I am intoglorifying God?
(07:06):
Am I putting more time andeffort and focus on my diet, on
my workouts, than I am doing thepurpose that God has called me
for Helping others, servingothers, worshiping Him, reading
the Bible, praying.
We can't have thoseflip-flopped.
(07:34):
Pride can really get intounhealthy behaviors as well,
such as over-exercising,improper dieting, using
performance-enhancing drugs.
Just go look around, look atall these quote-unquote
Christian trainers, christiangym goers, and you ask them are
(07:57):
you taking anything?
And so many will say, oh, I'mon testosterone, oh, I'm on this
type of performance-enhancingdrug, all these things because
if I didn't have them I couldn'tbe myself.
They're relying on something.
They're using these things tomake them feel okay, to make
(08:18):
them try to be better.
They're not utilizing God'samazing body that God breathed
into creating his own image,because of that unhealthy
behavior.
I'm not saying that all of it isunhealthy.
I truly believe you can usetestosterone in a healthy way,
(08:41):
but most people aren't.
They have no clue how manycalories they should be eating,
how much protein they're getting, what they're doing.
They're over-training, they'reunder-eating, they're relying on
these things.
And then they're wondering whytheir bellies are bloated, why
they can't get rid of these lastlittle bits of fat, whatever it
is, because they're relying onthese substances.
(09:04):
For what?
So they can live a better lifehere on earth.
We're only temporary citizenshere.
We should be doing everythingfor the glory of God.
Whether you eat or whether youdrink.
Do it all for the glory of God.
The Bible says it's very hard,very hard, to justify
(09:28):
testosterone usage to bringglory to God.
It's hard.
Probably only a handful ofpeople that can.
That's my story I've had when Iwas bodybuilding, when I was
taking steroids, when I was allabout myself when I was
competing, but still trying tonavigate Christian life, trying
(09:52):
to figure it out, counting thecost, proclaiming to everyone
that I am a Christian people.
If someone would come up to meand say, hey, how do you justify
steroids?
And I would try my best tojustify what I couldn't.
I was so focused on becomingbetter.
But what did better mean?
(10:12):
Well, it was a comparison toanother person, so I could be
more cut than that person,bigger than that person, even
when people would say, oh no,it's just so I can be better
than myself.
Well, there's pride.
Again, it's all focused on self.
We need to do things to getbetter for God.
(10:34):
We don't need steroids, wedon't need these unhealthy and
proper diets or over-exercising,because it's going to kill your
adrenals and then more healthissues are going to come.
And then, when you startdeveloping in it, when you're
getting to your 40s, your 50s,all these types of things,
(10:55):
you're going to blame it on age,when really it was improper
living, improper working out,improper dieting, using these
supplements, taking 400, 300,500 milligrams of caffeine
before every single workout,just doing all these things for
what?
So you can feel okay, so youcan feel superior.
This goes against everythingthat the Bible says.
(11:17):
Yet you have so many peoplegiving high fives, saying good
job, way to take care ofyourself, but they really don't
understand what true health is.
They're caught up in theirpride.
Let's look at the story ofNebuchadnezzar in Daniel 430 to
37 and the consequences of hispride.
(11:39):
Here he's looking over thiskingdom.
Or let's make it like abodybuilder here's
Nebuchadnezzar looking over,looking into the mirror,
admiring his pecs, admiring hisbiceps, like look at what I
built, look at all the work thatI'm doing, look at the diet
that has got me here, taking allcredit for himself, not even a
(12:04):
acknowledging God.
He did this for his kingdom andwhat did God do?
He struck him right there.
For seven years he had towander around eating grass like
a donkey, went out of his mind.
There's no coincidence that alot of people that are focused
(12:25):
so hard in the gym have bodydysmorphia, have eating
disorders, struggle withdepression, struggle with
anxiety, struggle with all thesehealth issues.
Because they're doing it andthey're creating this false God,
(12:46):
this fitness iron God.
That is the thing that's goingto change them.
But instead we need to be morelike John the Baptist.
We need to be like John theBaptist, where in John 3.30 he
said he must become greater.
(13:07):
I must become less.
We've got to stop focusing onourself and look how we can
glorify God.
I myself am somebody that doestake major I won't say pride,
(13:27):
but what I will say is that Iwill.
It's not that self-centered,but I take very, very well
satisfaction in myaccomplishments.
Inside the gym I do.
But when someone asks me whatthe goal is, my goal is to be
(13:47):
ready and capable for anythingGod or the devil throws my way.
My goal is to bring more peopleto Christ.
My goal is to help othersrealize that this gym, this
workout, these diets meanabsolutely nothing.
This is just a way to stayhealthy, to be ready to do and
answer the call of God.
That looks different foreveryone.
(14:09):
You don't have to be in therepounding out major weights.
You don't have to be.
Maybe you don't even need to bein the gym.
You just need to be ready andcapable whatever God lays on
your heart.
But we got to drop the pride.
We need to emulate Jesus in ourlives and our fitness routines.
He was so focused what he wasdoing, but he took the time If
(14:34):
someone came up and took him offhis path.
He'd go oh no, I gotta eat myfood.
Oh no, I gotta get my workout.
No, they were the first one.
He would be the first one togive it up and go help that
person move.
He'd be the first person to belike, oh okay, let's go eat this
, sure, okay.
So then he wouldn't be any typeof comparison.
He wouldn't make that personfeel bad for eating some certain
(14:55):
type of way.
No, he would meet them wherethey are, at stoop, down onto
their level, eat the food that'sput in front of them and say,
hey, how can I help you?
And if you are doing all theright things and you're not
struggling and you're notstressing to do these things and
you're really focused onglorifying God, it will become
(15:16):
easy.
You will find freedom.
Then, when someone puts thatpizza, when they put those
desserts right in front of you,you'll be able to eat them.
And when they say, how do youstay so fit?
You eat these foods, that'syour opportunity to preach about
Christ.
But if you're stuck in somepattern of this world and you're
(15:37):
saying I have to do this, Ihave to do this, you're probably
gonna end up being selfish.
You're probably gonna end upbeing all about yourself and not
have and overlooking at waysthat you can minister to others.
We got to take practical stepsto remain humble in our fitness
journey.
We got to set goals that honorGod, not just our vanity.
(16:02):
We have to change our why.
Why do you want to get fit?
It's not to go.
So I can have my six pack, so Ifeel good.
Got to make my booty bigger soI can attract a husband?
No, let's set goals so I cantake care of my temple, like 1
Corinthians tells me I should,because it's my temple.
(16:23):
Whether you drink, do it allfor the glory of God.
So I can take care of thisamazing gift that God gave me.
So I can take care of my body.
So I can be here as long as Ipossibly can to showcase what a
God-fearing, god-followingperson looks like, how peaceful
(16:44):
they can be.
So I can be able to go into themissions field and not have to
worry about if I'm overweight orif my insulin jumps, or if I
can't eat for two days, that allof a sudden I'm low blood sugar
.
Oh, no, passing out All theseare worries, but if you have
your health under control, ifyou are physically fit if you
(17:06):
know you can go run a mile inseven minutes.
You're not going to sit hereand be like, oh, I can't do this
, I can't help this person.
Let's set goals that reallyhonor God and not just our
vanity.
Let's embrace community andaccountability so we can be
(17:29):
humble in a culture that oftenpromotes that self-glorification
.
Let's embrace it.
Let's get a bunch of band ofbrothers around in a sport, in a
fitness realm where it's justso selfish.
So about yourself?
Let's bring other people around.
Let's go.
Let's take the time to spreadthe gospel within the gym.
(17:52):
Now make it big.
Oh, I can't talk.
Oh, they're on my machine, ohno, and just like no.
Let's take that time to embracecommunity.
But instead, unfortunately,everyone's trying to just be so
loud of look at me, look at me,look at my booty pop, look at my
(18:13):
, look at them.
And they're showing up withtheir booties hanging out, their
boobs hanging out.
All these girls they got, yougot men that are constantly
flexing in the mirror.
I'm not saying any of this iswrong, but you have to look at
it as like are you spending moretime looking at yourself,
comparing yourself, findingpride and happiness in your
looks?
Are you going on your socialmedia and bursting out and
(18:36):
looking at this prideful like,look at me, look at me.
You come, look at what I have.
Are you a personal trainer or acoach that says, look at what I
have, you can have this too.
Let's take a lesson from firstThessalonians 411 through 12.
Let's make it our ambition tolead a quiet life, to mind our
(18:59):
own business and to work withour hands so that our daily life
may win the respect ofoutsiders, so that they will not
be dependent on anybody.
Let's showcase how we can justbe shining bright, like the face
of Moses off Mount Sinai.
Let's dedicate everything toGod.
(19:19):
Let's be peaceful in all thatwe do.
Let's be willing to help others, to give advice to other people
.
Let's be willing to give up themachines that somebody else may
want.
Let's smile at other people.
Let's not be all about self andsay, oh, these are my goals,
just be like.
No, I'm just here to glorifyGod.
What about you?
Let's take the time to helpothers.
(19:43):
That's what this is all about.
And, like I said, pride willaffect your psychological and
your mental health as well.
Stress is going to come frommaintaining too much pride
within your physical, you willget older, your performance will
(20:05):
go down.
If it's all about your pridefulself, all about you versus you,
which, if it's you versus you,one has to lose and that's going
to be you.
But if it's all about you allthe time, things will go wrong.
We are living in a sinfulnature.
You will then be stressed, youwill feel burnout, you will have
(20:27):
social isolation.
All these things are going toaffect your mind.
We need to be renewed by thetransforming of our mind, not
screw up our mind by ourtransforming.
Also, we have the spiritualtoll of pride.
We're going to distanceourselves from God's grace.
(20:48):
Matthew 10.39 says whoeverfinds his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for mysake will find it.
Are we too busy investing in ourown lives, investing in our
worldly selves right now, or arewe going to do it when we can,
but at any moment?
When God calls we drop it, wecan drop it.
(21:11):
We don't have to be in the gym,we don't have to be doing it.
There are no half-twos, thereare a lot of get-twos.
Where do you fall on that?
Let's nurture the fruits of thespirit in our fitness regime.
Our regiment should besurrounded with love, joy, peace
(21:33):
, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control that's what ourroutines should be surrounded
with.
Not no pain, no gain, no love.
Love for the temple that Godgave us.
Joy for the ability that hegives us to move, because at any
(21:55):
moment your arms could getblown off, you could be
paralyzed, you could get in anaccident.
All these things let's take apure joy that we get to wake up
and go move, that we get to movethese massive amounts of weight
, whatever it is.
Not I have to do this forsomething else.
No, find joy in the journey.
Let's find peace in what we'redoing, not stress.
Let's have patience for ourchange, for our transformation,
(22:20):
because God is in the businessof results.
We're in the business ofobedience.
So let's do this out ofobedience when we're in the gym.
When we're out of the gym, let'sshow kindness to others, not
flex over our masculinity or ourphysical prowess over people.
Let's be gentle with otherpeople.
Let's live life withself-control, not these major
(22:41):
binge eating disorders withthese other.
With this let's just go eat andstarve ourselves and fast and
these back and forths where youjust can't control yourself and
then you're just making it allabout the food and you're just
so focused on food and it lookslike you're just a glutton when
you finally get around that.
These are not things that arewinning believers over.
(23:03):
It's putting people off.
Let's not do that anymore.
There's too much danger.
When you take pride into thefitness realm, we need to be
humble.
(23:23):
I really encourage you all toreflect on your intentions and
your practices within yourfitness journey.
Ask yourself why am I doingthis?
Why am I working out?
Why am I wanting to change mybody?
Everything should focus to God.
(23:44):
Everything should lead to God.
I do this within my clients.
It's the Y exercise.
Every single goal that you haveshould point back to God.
Why do you want to get fit?
I want to get fit so I can feelbetter about myself.
(24:04):
Why is getting fit going tomake you feel better about
yourself?
Oh, because then I'll be ableto have more confidence.
Why is getting more fit goingto get you more confidence?
Because then I won't be fat.
Oh, that's not a good goal.
It's not pointing back to God.
But if you can say I want toget more fit, why?
(24:24):
So I can be a better parent formy kids, so I can inspire them?
Why, because God put them andtrust it into me so I can and I
want to lead them to God.
Why?
Because that is my purpose inlife?
Because God created me.
Why?
Because that brings glory toGod.
Boom, perfect.
Do the Y exercise.
(24:45):
Sit there, write all your goalsand ask why you want them and
have them all point back to God.
And when that happens, that'swhen God will show up.
That's when God will give youthe peace that passes all
understanding.
That's when he'll give you thefavor that you're searching for.
That's when you'll probablyremove those roadblocks that you
can't figure out how to getover, because now you're not
(25:07):
doing it all for yourself orself and out of pride, but
instead you're doing it all forthe glory of God.
Or maybe he'll radically changeyour desires and make you okay
with being where you're at andnot have to get to this next
level just to flex it over thenext person, to make yourself
feel special, because youalready are chosen.
You already are God's child.
(25:28):
You already are fearfully andwonderfully made.
You are made in His image,which is so beautiful.
You are ready, perfect, the waythat you are once you give your
life to God.
Let's be vessels for Him.
Let's do it all for God.
Let's seek balance and keep Godat the center of all of our
(25:50):
pursuits, including fitness.
If this resonates with you oranything, please give me
feedback on the Y2 Fitness page.
Y2 Fitness at Instagram,facebook, y2 Fitness Aaron at Y2
Fitness, tell me your storiesabout this.
(26:12):
Reach out to me.
That's what Y2 Fitness is allabout.
I marry pastoral counselingwith fitness coaching, because
you can't, and then with thatyou have the spiritual, you have
the mental and you have thephysical.
You have to have all threebecause you can't separate them.
(26:34):
If you're struggling with yourpride, if you're struggling with
unforgiveness, if you'restruggling with anxiety,
depression, all these things,and you're using fitness as the
cure, all nothing.
It's not gonna work.
That's why I balance it all out.
If you need help, please reachout.
Thank you all for listening.
(26:56):
This is Aaron with Y2 Fitness.
You all have a great week.
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