Keep Loving Others by Maintaining Physical Health

"Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading to its hope. It can really outlast anything." 1 Corinthians 13:7 (Phillips)

Love is exhausting. It's work to really love. Have you ever felt like, "I don't have any more love to give"? Most people don't understand that their physical condition has a strong impact on their relationships and their ability to love.

It takes physical energy to listen to people, to put their needs first.  Have you ever tried to appear like you're interested when you're dead tired?  You're not listening because it takes energy to listen. 

What happens to your relationships when you're run down?  Little issues become big problems when you're tired. You're more cranky, defensive, and critical when you're physically low.

What are some habits the Bible says will physically refresh you?

Rest - "It's senseless for you to work so hard from early morning till late at night.  God wants you to get your proper rest." (Psalm 127:2 LB)  Some of you need to put that on your briefcase.  Rest is so important that God put it in the Ten Commandments - every seventh day you rest.  If you're not taking a day off every week you're breaking one of His commandments. 

Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is just get some rest.  It's amazing how much better things look after a good night's sleep.  Many of you are too tired to love your kids, too tired to love your husband, too tired to love your wife.

Balanced diet - "You made my body, Lord, now give me the sense to head your laws." (Psalm 119:73 LB) It's a no-brainer, but choosing fruits and vegetables over chips and cookies will give us more sustained energy. We know what to do, we just need to do it. 

Regular exercise - "Honor God with your body." (1Corinthians 6:20 NIV) Our bodies were made for activity.  In Bible times they didn't have to exercise; they walked everywhere, they did physical work.  But most of us have sedentary lives and we drive everywhere. Yet, you really only have two choices in life: fatigue or fitness. Fitness involves regular exercise.