Fit For Her Journey

Aligning Mind, Body, and Spirit with God’s Vision

• Allie Gibbs • Season 1 • Episode 2

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Have you ever received a gift so meaningful it changed your perspective on life? Join me, Allie Gibbs, on Fit For Her Journey, as we explore the profound significance of gifts from both our loved ones and from God. Reflect on a cherished gift from someone dear to you and understand its deep, personal meaning. We'll unravel how our physical bodies are divine gifts, perfect and intentional, designed to help us achieve our God-given purpose. Through scripture, you’ll be reminded that we are God's masterpieces, created anew in Christ Jesus. The episode encourages you to shift your self-perception to align with God’s view of you—precious, valuable, and irreplaceable.

In this empowering episode, we confront the universal struggle of acknowledging our sins and embracing God's grace and redemption. We’ll discuss the misconception that some sins are greater than others and stress the importance of continuous prayer and repentance. Learn how to draw closer to God for guidance and clarity while maintaining your physical health to fulfill His will. Personal stories and reflections illustrate the daily challenges of aligning our habits with God's truth and underscore the necessity of self-care and spiritual growth. Embrace the transformative power of God's unconditional love and commit to seeing yourself as His prized possession. Let’s embark on this journey together, prioritizing our health and purpose, and sharing this powerful message with those we love, so together we become Fit For Her Journey. 

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Speaker 1:

You are now listening to the Fit for Her Journey podcast with Allie Gibbs. Hey ladies, welcome back to another episode of Fit for Her Journey. I am your host, allie Gibbs. I am looking forward to today's conversation, the depths, the insight and the reflections of today's episode, and I hope it reaches you right where you are and brings forth clarity and connection to God. Before we get started, be sure to subscribe and follow the podcast, if you haven't done so already, so you will be the first to be notified of all new episodes and content. Thank you, I appreciate you.

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Okay, let's get into it. I want to begin by asking you to take a moment and think of someone you love. Think of someone you love deeply and whom you value. This can be your spouse, your children, your mom or dad, a grandparent or close family member or a friend. Now imagine that this person gives you a gift that is considered valuable to you, not necessarily by price, but because it has meaning. Not necessarily by price, but because it has meaning. You may already have such a gift from this individual. You may already have deemed this gift irreplaceable. Think about that. Make it personal. Can you see the gift? I would like to take it a step further and say that you are going to do everything you can to protect and or keep it safe, because it holds such value to you.

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Okay, for me, for Mother's Day, my husband and children gave me a plush blanket that has photos of our children in a checkered pattern and across the middle it says mom, in big bold letters. Along the bottom of it it says happy mother's day and has each of their names. Now, this gift brought all the emotions to surface y'all when I received it, because each photo reflected more than just their faces, but it reflected a memory, a special memory and moment shared with each of our children. Those memories and moments are valuable and irreplaceable to me. The gift was personal and it holds such value in my heart, but I want to share this with you. But I want to share this with you God is also the giver of such gifts.

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God gives great gifts, he gives perfect gifts, gifts that are personal and created just for you. God's gifts are valuable. He gave us all the gift of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, our Redeemer, the gift of the Holy Spirit, our ever-present help, our wise counsel, our intercessor in the heavens. God gives each of us special gifts and talents that he placed personally inside of us. You may already recognize them and are walking them out today, but there are many more to come. Okay, let's make it personal.

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God has given everyone a unique and special gift, and that is the gift of our physical body. Yes, our bodies are a gift from God that allows us to navigate and function daily through our five senses to see, to touch, smell, hear and taste. But they are also a way in which we identify with ourselves, connect with each other, carry out our mission and purpose in life. How we affect change and surrender to God. How we affect change and surrender to God.

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In James 1, it tells us that whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God, our Father. You and I are His prized possessions. That's with a bit of paraphrase. Now, although in this portion of the text, the context in which James is speaking is the reflection of enduring test and temptation, with that he speaks about how oftentimes we misplace the source of our temptation and the outcome by blaming it on God. But God does not tempt us to do wrong, but instead we miss the fact that temptation is connected to our desires and the sin connected to it. Yet in the midst of temptation, we are always presented with a choice. But even with this context, god still chose us, blessed us and deemed us as his prized possessions, because he sees and knows the good in his people. He didn't have to do it, but he did.

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As scripture tells us, our physical bodies are a perfect gift from God, so much so they are a temple in which the Holy Spirit comes to live with us. First Corinthians 619 tells us 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? God loves so big that he sent his spirit to be with us, to transform us, lead and guide us, reveal and give us discernment, comfort us, convict and teach us, elevate our faith and draw us closer to God. Sis, what a perfect gift that holds so much value and is irreplaceable, wouldn't you agree? God is so good. Stay with me.

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I'm going somewhere with this, in a world and society where the lines are blurred in terms of how we should see ourselves. We know that our physical bodies are indeed a gift from God, but I want to ask you do you know what God says about you as a Christian and a daughter of the King. How does he describe you? Oh my, there are many ways, and in Christ Jesus you are set apart. You are God's masterpiece. In scripture it says I'm his masterpiece and so are you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Okay, he deemed you and I so valuable that he sent Jesus, the perfect gift to allow us to be made right with God, the Father. Ephesians 2.10 NLT reads For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Alright, as I reflect on this, it tells me that God created us as a perfect work of art and we should not think, speak or allow our actions to make us feel less than I know.

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At times it can be hard to not think this way, when you feel like you don't measure up, especially when we see ourselves in the mirror and what we see back doesn't look like a masterpiece. It is one thing when society paints the picture of what body type or image is considered beautiful or acceptable, but what about when we do it to ourselves? Can I tell you all a secret? I struggled with this for many years, growing up as a young girl. I was always a petite girl, shorter than my friends and almost every other girl I went to school with. I also had a gap in my teeth, right there, front and center, right in front of my mouth, and I was often teased for both. I used to cry to my grandmother sometimes, and I would even ask her why I was made this way. She would affirm me by saying that I could do anything that I wanted in life, no matter my height, and I was such a pretty little girl. Another true fact I did get braces well Invisalign rather, and closed the gap in my teeth as an adult. However, the journey to believing that statement from my grandmother was a rollercoaster y'all, to say the least, and the teasing I experienced as a young girl, along with life struggles. Those seeds were planted that rolled over into my adulthood in various ways.

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I also know it can be challenging when we look back over our lives and see where we have fallen short of God's glory and allow sin to come in, misaligning our vision and thoughts in relation to Ephesians 2.10. But Jesus, our Redeemer, being renewed in Jesus being set free from trials of our past, all sin and knowing, no condemnation awaits. It is a gift that holds all value. Real talk y'all. This may just be me, but I'm going to throw it out there anyway. I can remember a time when I thought redemption only applied to some areas of life and only certain sins and certain people would be forgiven. Like I literally thought you could categorize sin and deem one more sinful than another, like gossiping wasn't as bad of a sin as adultery.

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Child, what I've learned is that sin is sin, which is why we must repent and pray continuously. Has anyone ever had a similar thought about sin? Oh, just me. Okay, it's okay, it's fine, because we are human and God knows we are sinful yet. And still, he wants a relationship with his people and we should want the same with him, and to do so he gave us the most valuable gift in Jesus. To do so, he gave us the most valuable gift in Jesus. This means nothing or no one can change the beautiful work God has done in us.

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God knew you long ago. He knew us before he formed us in our mother's womb. God has a plan for our life on purpose that is full of purpose and meaning. He chose us for such a time as this in our physical, human form, no matter the physical flaws we see with our eyes or the sins we have done. You and I are God's masterpiece. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are made in. God's Word tells us. Let me say that again Nothing about us is less than or inferior to. In Matthew, it says that God blesses you when people mock you, persecute you and say evil things against you. Jesus reminds us not to worry, that a great reward awaits us in heaven. I want to encourage you to know what God says about you, sis. Don't waver from it. God, our heavenly father, created you as a gift because you have meaning, you are valuable, you have purpose, you have a calling. I just hope there is at least one woman listening who has faith crazy enough to believe that I know I do. Having the gift of your physical body is such a blessing as a Christian woman. There are good things for you to do on the earth.

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In order to do the will of God in your life, you have to draw near to Him. You can't do it without Him. Seek Him, spend time in His Word for guidance and pray y'all. Oftentimes people say they don't hear from God or they can't discern His voice from outside noise, or they don't think God can help them in a certain situation. Consider drawing near to Him. Seek Him first. No one can reveal the Lord's will but Him. Get consistent at seeking him daily and throughout the day. Listen, I know for me and the way that my life is set up, I have learned that I need to call on God, jesus and the Holy Spirit many times throughout my day because life be lifed and it can be ghetto For many of us who have the mobility and physical functionality of our bodies.

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Let me remind you that you must be well and equipped with your health to be physically capable of sustaining the will of God along your journey. But you cannot do that if you are not taking care of your temple, your physical body, of your temple, your physical body. Although physical exercise is a small portion of our journey, it is a portion of our lifestyle that we must allow to take root in us for longevity and endurance and is deemed necessary. This places importance on becoming mindful and creating habits that fulfills the word God says about us to help you see yourself in the text. It can be hard to believe this to be true if the everyday habits you create destroy the vessel and truth. God created you as a masterpiece. Are you conforming to the patterns of this world or are you renewing your mind?

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As I was preparing for this episode, I was feeling convicted in my spirit and I had to stop and pray. I had to ask God for grace, because vulnerability publicly is something I still struggle with, but by his grace, I continue to work through it. As I was reflecting on this topic, I began looking back on how I had steward the gift of my body and health. I started thinking of things I did in the past that did not align with God's truth and what he says about me. I thought back over times where I overindulged on things that weren't good for me. Rather, it was on foods that weren't properly nourishing my body, where I resisted the idea of regular exercise, drinking I mean there wasn't a party get together with friends or outing where drinks and shots were not on the menu, and I absolutely despise drinking water. Yes, I was on the struggle bus to later find myself displeased with my appearance on the outside and how I felt on the inside. I lived by the narrative that I could do whatever I wanted because I was grown and nobody can stop me.

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It was during a time of not knowing my identity in Christ. I did not grow up going to church often, but I knew I should believe in God and my God has. He kept me. He kept me in my mess, in my foolishness. Jesus stood in the gap when I fell short. That is an unconditional love that is unmatched. I really get emotional thinking about it now. And what a mighty God we serve.

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1 Corinthians 6, 12-13 reads you say I am allowed to do anything, but not everything is good for you. And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything. You say food was made for the stomach and the stomach for food. There is context here that our bodies are a gift from God. As the verse further down says, they were made for the Lord and the Lord cares about our bodies. In full context here, y'all, paul is referring to the church in Corinth on avoiding sinful immorality, but it does not fall short of how we are to care for our physical bodies. Yes, we have free will to do what we want and the freedom to make our own decisions and choices. But just as Paul said to the church then it applies to us today as well that we should not become slaves to anything. That includes food, idleness and sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy habits and behaviors. That results in us not caring for the gift God has graciously and lovingly given us. We live in a society that how we view our bodies, health, exercise and nutrition is often challenged by the current and or latest popular trend, even as far as to say how we live for Christ. We know that living for Christ isn't always easy. It is not easy to pick up our cross daily and deny our flesh. It is hard but it is possible.

Speaker 1:

I was doing some research on women's health and how caring for our bodies affect the longevity of our health. I came across a scientific research article by the World Health Organization. It talked about the weekly recommendations for physical activity for adult women ages 18 through 64, which is equivalent to about an hour and a half to two and a half hours of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per week not day, but per week. Now, as a personal trainer, this means it can be broken down to various exercises and or activities that you see fit to accommodate your lifestyle. Side note from me to you just make sure you incorporate a bit of strength training in there, okay, despite the recommendations, there are several areas that revealed in the study that showed insignificancies in regular physical activity. African-american women are among the highest, particularly for physical inactivity, susceptible to obesity, chronic diseases and outcomes due to unhealthy lifestyles over their counterparts. This possesses a risk for several adverse health outcomes, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea and other diseases.

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I know many of us may have seen this in our own families and may be experiencing it ourselves, but I'm radical enough to believe that this is not our portion from God. My God is a healer. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead resides within you and me. If my God says I am a masterpiece, why would I settle for a lifestyle that goes against that? Lack of movement and exercise? Not our portion. Lack of nourishing our bodies well with foods that fuel and serve our bodies well, not our portion. Lack of quality rest, not claiming it Stuck in a negative mindset about yourself. The devil is a liar.

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Psalms 23 says the Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. The Lord is our shepherd, who gives us provision, guidance and protection in how we care for our bodies and health. So if this relates to you, this may be your sign to call on the Lord, if there are areas in your life that is making you unhealthy, let it go. Fight it by way of the spirit.

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Second Corinthians, 10 5 says we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ Sis. We're human. We can only go so far in our own strength. It doesn't compare to what God can do. We have heaven's resources on our side to fight against the strongholds that are consuming us and attributing to poor health. Will it be easy? No, will you fall off track? Yes, maybe Is it hard to be consistent Absolutely, but I believe it is possible and you're not in it alone. We can be misled by the way of the world, but God's weapons lead us to be influenced by way of faith, prayer, hope, love, god's word and the Holy Spirit. They are far more powerful and effective. They are far more powerful and effective. Philippians reminds us that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. God's hand is all over us. He has kept you for such a time as this, aligning us with what he says about us. Invite God into the details and take captive every negative thought, doubt and trick of the enemy and make it obedient to Christ.

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So many people are consumed by selfish ambition and serving themselves in the moment because they are valuing moments of comfort over focusing on things above and prioritizing an eternal reward. Spiritual wellness is not just important, it's the most important part of our well-being because, as Christians, it is the foundation and forefront of every important and valuable factor in our lives. We cannot do the journey without our Lord, nor inherit the kingdom of God without him. So do not settle for less. Sis, your body is a temple. It is a gift from God and it houses an even powerful gift from God Live and lead by example.

Speaker 1:

So I want to encourage you today to decree and declare over your life, your children's lives, your grandchildren's lives, your great, great, great, great great grandchildren's lives, that you will begin valuing, prioritizing and embracing your health and your physical body as the gift God has given. You are his masterpiece, his beautiful work of art, his prized possession, set apart to do the good things he has planned on purpose for purpose, just for you, long ago, because you matter. Amen, that's all I have. Ladies on today's episode of Fit for Her Journey. I pray this episode helps someone and if it has, my only ask is that you share it with another sister. May the Lord bless and keep you and until next time, peace, love and blessings.