There have been seasons of my life when I have been very disciplined about physical training. In high school I competed in three sports: cross country, wrestling, and soccer. So, I was in the habit of training year round. In college I lived near the beach and rose early each morning to surf for a few hours before classes started. In the last few years, I’ve trained for various 5k, 10k and half-marathon races.

Unfortunately, during this season of life, I do not have a regular workout routine. I can definitely feel the effects. I get tired quickly; it’s more difficult to do simple tasks, and I have less energy. A lack of physical discipline is affecting my spiritual life as well.

It’s been said that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. I’ve certainly found that to be true. Here are four things that I miss about working out regularly:

1. Time to pray

When I set an amount of time to workout, such as running for 30 minutes, I usually spend part of this time praying. The lack of distraction and the physical intensity during a run gives me a sense of focus that is hard to achieve elsewhere.

2. Time to meditate on and memorize Scripture

When I was in high school I developed the habit of writing a Scripture on a notecard so I could meditate on it throughout the day. When I went on a run, I’d tuck one of those notecards in my pocket and continue to think on it word by word as I ran. As a byproduct of this practice, I memorized many passages of Scripture during my weekly runs. I still incorporate this practice today and find it’s a very effective way to engage with God’s Word.

3. Time to reflect and seek wisdom

As I work out, I also like to take a few minutes to reflect on prayer requests and Scripture to determine how the Holy Spirit is leading me. This process is invaluable as it moves my faith from an intellectual exercise to a real-world experience.

4. Energy to take action

The final byproduct of regular physical discipline is the strength to take next steps. When I’m in good shape, it’s amazing how much more energy I have. I’m also more likely to take action on a directive God gives. It’s hard for me to operate at peak capacity when I’m out of shape; I’d rather sit on the couch than get moving. But physical discipline puts my body in the habit of motion so that I am much more likely to respond when the Spirit leads.

I miss having a regular workout routine. As an action step, I’m going to put a small goal on the calendar—such as a local 5k race—and start training for it. I hope you find the encouragement to continue –or add to–your physical routine!