Plan to Work and Work the Plan

Let’s be honest. Ministry is exhausting; we all can probably agree on that. Between counseling sessions, organizing events, sermon prep, and staff meetings, there is very little time left for yourself. Most of us pray for energy and stamina, but rarely do we plan for it. I’ve been there. I have spent years pouring into students every week, leading Refuge Youth Network, mentoring leaders, speaking at events, and somehow expected my health to take care of itself. It didn’t and it began to show.

I started going to a gym on a regular basis and after a few years of joining the gym I was asked if I would consider teaching a few classes. I was also encouraged to get certified as an instructor. When I started working there, I watched as people would come to the gym at 5 a.m. and then others after a long workday would put in more hard work at the gym. They didn’t have more time than me. What they had was a plan, and they stuck to it. That idea has changed everything for me: Get a plan. Stick to it. Discipline is not flashy, but it works. It’s the same principle I apply to ministry, to life, and to health.

Here’s what I have learned over the last 10 years.

1.      Set goals with purpose and set them with Jesus. You can have discipline. You can work hard. You can manage your time well. You can be a great networker. You can be an excellent speaker. All of those things are good, but if your plan is not lining up with the plan God has for you, you will miss out on what really matters. I often say the mechanics in a watch can work perfectly, but if it is set to the wrong time, it will always be wrong. Ask God for guidance, write down your goals, and determine why they matter to you. Don’t pick goals to impress others. Pick goals that matter to your life, your values, your health, and your calling.

2.      Focus on behaviors, not just outcomes. If your goal is to lose weight, eat better, or get healthier, focus on the behaviors that will get you there. Stop telling yourself to stop eating junk food. That adds stress and sets you up for guilt. Instead, set achievable behaviors like eating two servings of vegetables a day or hitting 10,000 steps. Once you have those mastered, add resistance training or other healthy habits. Small steps compound over time and build momentum without discouragement.

3.      Embrace discomfort because that is where growth happens. I often say this in the classes I teach in response to when they talk about how they feel, “Your feelings are already hurt, so we might as well do another round.” True change begins when we push through the uncomfortable moments. Every rep, every drop of sweat, and every ounce of effort matters. Ministry is the same. Leading is hard. Caring for people is exhausting. Facing challenges in your physical health is difficult. Discomfort is a test that builds strength, determination, and resilience. Growth does not happen in the easy moments.

4.      Make it communal. Faith and fitness have more in common than most people realize. Both require commitment, discipline, accountability, and community. You were never meant to do ministry alone. Surround yourself with people who encourage you, hold you accountable, and remind you why you started in the first place. We all need a coach, a trainer or someone who will push us when we want to quit. I have a coach, Angela Ross. She holds me accountable. She pushes me, she is tough on me, and she never lets me settle. She always says, “I know you can do more” or “Don’t show up with an I will try attitude. Show up with an I will do attitude.” We all need a Coach like Ang in our life. I’ve seen over and over how community like this keeps people consistent, motivated, and moving forward even when they don’t feel like it.

Remember that your body is a ministry tool. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Caring for your physical health is not vanity. It is stewardship. When your body is healthy, your mind is clearer, your energy lasts longer, and your patience stretches further. Faith and fitness complement each other perfectly. Both require commitment, discipline, goal-setting, and reflection. They both offer opportunities for growth, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose.

Here is your challenge. Get a plan for your health and stick to it. If you have been lazy, get active. If you have given up, try again. If you have never started, begin now. Every step you take, every healthy choice, and every ounce of effort is made better when you invite Jesus into the process. Faith amplifies discipline. Faith strengthens consistency. Faith gives purpose to every choice.

Words like Discipline. Hard work. Intentionality. Community. Faith. Health is not just a buzzword. They are the building blocks of sustainable ministry and a life well-lived. Start small, stay consistent, and see how taking care of your body empowers every other part of your calling. Your health is not a side note in ministry; it is a vital part of the toolset God has given you to serve well.

Get a plan. Stick to it. Watch your life change as you honor God with your body, mind, and spirit.