Physical Exercise Guidelines – A few months ago the US government released it’s latest guidelines for Americans on physical activity. I made post – Government Guidelines for Physical Activity. A summary for adults is:
• Engage in 2 1/2 hours a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes.
• Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups performed on 2 or more days per week.
Our country recognizes that physical activity plays a role in many health outcomes including premature death; diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression; risk factors for disease, such as high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol; physical fitness; functional capacity (the ability to engage in activities needed for daily living) ; mental health, such as depression and cognitive function; and injuries or sudden heart attacks.
Spiritual Exercise Guidelines – 1 Timothy 4:7-8 says “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true and everyone should accept it.” 1 Timothy 4:7-9 (New Living Translation, 1st Edition) God tells us, speaking through the writing of Paul, that spiritual exercise is much more important than physical activity.
Wouldn’t Americans benefit from a comparable set of spiritual activity guidelines that offers comparable spiritual health benefits? I’d like your thoughts on this matter. In the Bible, God certainly provides a wealth of information on this topic. Let’s develop a concise description of the types and amounts of spiritual activity that would provide us with good spiritual health and overall quality of life.
Post your comments here. In the weeks to come, I’ll pull them all together in a statement similar to what is provided for physical activity. God knows, our country sure could use such a set of guidelines.
Enjoy the holidays!
Sharing with others what the Lord has shown me is tremendously important and brings about a healthy understanding for me. And helps me to retain the lessons the Lord imparts to me.