Lessons Learned from My Sickness Part 32: Exercise
By Pastor Ronny Luces
St. Paul was a strong promoter and advocate of physical exercises in his epistles.
He wrote about different sports like running a race, boxing and wrestling.
He even challenged young Timothy about the value of physical training (1 Timothy 4: 8) and the discipline, determination and adherence to existing rules by an athlete (2 Timothy 2:5).
From his detailed descriptions of various sports and their benefits, we can conclude that St. Paul possess intimate knowledge and personal experience about the world of athletics.
It is also possible that Paul himself was a very physically fit person.
He was able to survive shipwrecks, bodily flogging, hunger, snake bites and other life-threatening attacks.
But because of God’s intervention (and his gift of good health), he was able to overcome these physical dangers.
Upon my release from the hospital, I was really physically weak. Little movements will make me feel exhausted. I suffered from shortness of breath. I lost many pounds. My appetite was not good, and my sleeping pattern was very erratic.
There’s always the temptation to lie down on my bed and minimize my physical movements. But thanks to Mam Martha, who became my life coach.
She encouraged me to do some exercises. Together with Manang Tessie Lozanes, they would bring me to Fort San Pedro to do walking and breathing exercises and to avail the natural healing impact of early sunlight.
After that, we ate breakfast of rice, grilled fish, vegetables, chicken soup and plenty of fruits.
This became our regular schedule, and I discovered the positive changes happening in my body as well as in my mental perspective.
Now, I can do deep breathing, my appetite has significantly improved, my pallor has also improved (many noticed my cheeks were not so pale anymore), and I slept well at night. I am also recovering the pounds that I lost.
Truly, doing physical exercise is very important to maintaining our good health.
To everyone out there, don’t wait for sickness to destroy your body before you appreciate the advantages and benefits of physical exercise.
I am speaking through experience.
Posted on FB: Monday, 25 March 2015 at 2:50 PM
About the Author
Rev. Ronny Luces was the Minister for Administration and Community Service of the Jaro Evangelical Church (JEC), Iloilo City, Philipines. He and his wife, Martha have been with JEC’s ministry since 1994.
Pastor Ronny graduated from Central Philippine University College of Theology in 1985 and was pastor of several Baptist churches.
In January 2015, after tests and two long hospital confinements, Pastor Ronny got the word he had lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy.
Praying for healing and going through all the medical processes, Pastor Ronny wrote his reflections “Lessons Learned from My Sickness.” In July 2015, he passed away.
May Pastor Ronny’s series of reflections and meditations strengthen your hope and faith as you go through your own life’s battles.
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