Fresh Start: Five Healthy Habits for a New Year

Active Awareness: Moving Your Body Daily (Part Three)

Scripture Focus

1 Corinthians 6:19–20

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honor God with your body.”

As we pursue a fresh start this year, it’s important to remember that caring for our bodies is not just a physical decision, it’s a spiritual one. God lives within us, and honoring Him includes how we treat the bodies He has entrusted to us.

Key Number One: Consistency Over Intensity

Daily, moderate movement is far more beneficial than occasional extreme workouts. Growth comes through discipline, not bursts of effort. A consistent routine, such as 20 to 30 minutes of walking, stretching, or light activity each day, can make a meaningful difference over time.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 reminds us of this principle:

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training… So, I run with purpose in every step. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.”

Purposeful, steady effort produces lasting results, both physically and spiritually.

Key Number Two: Find Enjoyable Activities

Ecclesiastes 3:13 says,

“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil, this is the gift of God.”

Movement becomes sustainable when it’s enjoyable. When you choose activities you genuinely like, exercise stops feeling like a chore and becomes part of your lifestyle. Whether it’s dancing, hiking, biking, playing sports, or mixing different activities for variety, the key is to keep moving in ways that bring joy.

As you move forward this year, make a deliberate choice to move your body daily, connect intentionally, and honor God with the temple He has given you. Small, consistent steps can lead to lasting transformation, one day at a time.