As I began building my online coaching business, I knew I wanted to find Scripture to back what I was hearing from the Holy Spirit. And then there it was, like a holy mic drop from heaven, proof:
“She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.” — Proverbs 31:17 AMP
Let’s pause on that: she equips herself.
She doesn’t hustle, strive, or wrestle her way into strength. She doesn’t rely on adrenaline and willpower to somehow magically get her to her desired outcome. She prepares herself.
AKA she gathers the necessary tools and she trains for strength, not only physically but in her spiritual walk with the Lord which transforms her mind.
See, I think we as Christians are guilty of adopting the world’s view of fitness, which is that fitness is about how you look. But Biblically, it’s about how you show up for your divine assignment.
You weren’t created to fulfill your purpose running on fumes, surviving on caffeine, or dragging around a body that’s constantly in pain.
You were created to fulfill your purpose with power sustained by spiritual, mental, and physical strength.
You were created to fulfill your purpose with power sustained by spiritual, mental, and physical strength.
Why Fitness Actually Matters (Especially if You’re a Christian Woman)
I hear women say all the time, “I just don’t have time to work out, I’m so busy.”
Oh Martha... I hear you, but what if strength isn’t optional for the life you’re called to?
The world’s view of fitness is all six-packs and transformations. But the Kingdom has a different definition. Fitness is about readiness to meet your calling with confidence & vigor.
If fitness feels like something you can put off, it might be because you’ve only ever linked it to vanity.
But strength, stamina, and resilience?
Those aren’t about appearances, they’re about obedience.
They’re essential for walking out your God-given calling.
Those aren’t about appearances, they’re about obedience.
They’re essential for walking out your God-given calling.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Building strength was never meant to be about applause, praise, or adoration of man. Working out isn’t for the before and after.
It’s an act of worship. A sacred response to the God who gave you your body, your breath, and your divine assignment.
It’s an act of worship. A sacred response to the God who gave you your body, your breath, and your divine assignment.
Because when your body is strong:
- Your mind sharpens.
- Your energy rises.
- Your stress softens.
- Your joy sustains you..
- Your confidence is fortified.
- Your spirit 🔥 ignites with passion for your purpose.
This Isn’t Just Motivational Fluff, It’s Science and Spirit Working Together
👩🏽🔬 The Science Side:
🧠 Brain Power
Strength training increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a key protein that helps your brain function better.
➤ You’ll think more clearly, stay focused longer, and process decisions with more confidence.
🌿 God's Built-In Happy Hormones
Exercise naturally releases endorphins and serotonin, your body’s feel-good chemicals.
➤ You’ll feel more stable, less anxious, and emotionally resilient through life’s storms (which are inevitable when you are on purpose).
😮💨 Stress Reduction from the Inside Out
Movement lowers cortisol (your stress hormone), which helps calm your nervous system.
➤ Less burnout. Less snapping at people you love. More peace in your day.
🔍 Mental Clarity & Focus
Exercise increases oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain, improving memory, focus, and mental stamina.
➤ You’ll stop feeling scattered and foggy, and start showing up sharp for your work, your people, and your purpose.
So if you’re asking, “How does fitness affect mental health?” Here’s your answer:
It literally reshapes your brain to function with more joy, focus, and peace.
🙏🏽 The Spirit Side:
God wired your body this way. To move, to build, to train for endurance - not just physically, but spiritually.
When you ignore your physical body, you don’t just lose strength:
- You lose the capacity to fully show up for your calling.
- You lose mental clarity.
- You silence spiritual sensitivity.
- You decrease your ability to feel the joy of the Lord.
Yet so many of us try to carry spiritual assignments in exhausted, undernourished, neglected bodies.
That’s not holy hustle. That’s misalignment.
What the Bible Actually Says About Fitness
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV)
👉🏽Your body isn’t just a tool. It’s a temple, paid for in full. And caring for it isn’t vanity, it’s worship.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
👉🏽God’s not telling you to idolize your body. He’s telling you to steward it. Because your purpose is housed in your body.
When that body is strong, you’re grounded. Present. Powerful. Confident.
God isn’t glorified in your burnout. He’s glorified when you run in full alignment (mind, body, and spirit) strong enough to sustain and steward what He’s entrusted to you.
So no, strength isn’t selfish. It’s sacred and strategic.
So What Does “Biblical Strength” Feel Like?
You wake up steady, rooted, energized, clear.
You move through your day with ease.
You have a clear, focused mind.
You are confident in your intuition to make the right calls.
Your spirit hears God clearly because your body is calm, it’s sensitive to His voice.
You’re slow to react, intentional, and present.
You feel peace with your body shape and size.
You feel confident in your abilities and in your giftings.
This is the fruit of a well-trained body and a submitted spirit.
Thriving in clarity, confidence, and fire for life.
Ready to Get Strong? Start Here.
If this stirred something in you, good. That’s the Spirit nudging you. But don’t run to a 75-day challenge or download a calorie-counting app.
Start here. Start small. Start with the intention to align:
- Reframe strength as stewardship.
You’re not getting fit to fit in. You’re building a body that can carry God-sized vision. This is Kingdom work, and you need a strong temple to do it well. - Add “movement snacks” to your day.
Strength doesn’t require an hour in the gym. Start with short bursts of intentional movement often:- Squats while the coffee brews
- Counter push-ups while dinner cooks
- Resistance bands between meetings
To build strength, you need consistent reps.
(I’ll break this down more in a follow-up blog all about “movement snacks”—stay tuned!)
- Speak the Word while you move.
Pair your workouts with Scripture. Let your sweat become worship.
Here are some verses to declare as you train:- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
- “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10
- “He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” — Psalm 18:34
- Say Yes to Support.
You weren’t meant to do this burnt out. You were meant to do it strong.
If your soul is saying “yes” but your calendar is packed, that’s exactly where I come in.
I offer 1:1 coaching for faith-filled women who want to feel strong again, without the overwhelm of a heavy training program. Together, we’ll create a personalized movement plan that fits your busy schedule, so you feel more energized, productive, and peaceful than ever.
Sis, if you’ve been serving on empty, surviving on adrenaline, and calling it obedience…
This is your invitation to do it differently.
Not just for aesthetics.
Not just for performance.
But for alignment.
For longevity.
For the God-dreams inside you.
This is your invitation to do it differently.
Not just for aesthetics.
Not just for performance.
But for alignment.
For longevity.
For the God-dreams inside you.
Strong isn’t just sexy.
It’s biblical.
It’s divine.
It’s biblical.
It’s divine.
Let’s train for the call, together!
🩵 Your Coach, Briana
Click here to Get Fit + On Fire with Jesus
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