Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

We hear this verse a lot, but what does this scripture really mean? First lets look at “Iron sharpens iron.” Iron tools are made sharp in order to be used by rubbing them against the file, or another piece of iron.  This means when one person finds mutual counsel with a friend they become sharper.

This sharpening of one another is a picture of what a healthy, Christ centered friendship should look like. When we seek accountability from someone else we should ALWAYS be sure that person and friendship is going to push us to be more like Jesus and that their advice and counsel is centered around what God’s word says.

Here’s what will begin to happen when we get accountability in our faith and fitness:

1. Accountability in your faith and fitness will help you overcome your struggles.

The twelve disciples who followed Jesus saw their lives radically transformed because Jesus held them accountable in their commitments to follow His teachings. When we get biblically based accountability in our lives, radical change will begin to happen.

While it is still our responsibility to seek Jesus ourselves, having someone or a group of people come around you, pray for you and give you BIBLICALLY based advice and support will make a huge difference as you push towards overcoming whatever is holding you back. Getting real and raw with them about the struggle you have will not only help you by bringing it to light, but it will also help them know how to hold you accountable. Once that struggle is brought to light, it’s equally important that you create a game plan or strategy on how you will overcome it.

Maybe you plan to text your accountability partner every night and tell them what you ate that day or maybe that extra layer of accountability is giving them permission to ask you hard questions. The important part is that you figure out a way to let them in and create that extra layer of support.

2. Accountability in your faith and fitness will help you push towards your best self.

Finding a friend that seeks to honor Jesus in EVERY area of their life, just like you, will make a HUGE difference as you strive to become more like Jesus (aka your best self). Too many times we seek counsel from others that don’t have God’s best in mind. While their tips and advice might sound good on paper, if it’s not from a Biblical standpoint then it’s not pushing you to become more like Him.

Too often I see women around me compartmentalizing their life. We tend to think that God doesn’t care about our health and fitness or how we steward our bodies, but I am here to tell you he ABSOLUTELY does!  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “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.”

When we seek accountability from others who have Jesus and His word at the center of their faith and fitness goals, we WILL become more like Jesus.

3. Accountability in your faith and fitness will help you reach your goals.

I don’t care how self disciplined you are or how good you are at what you do, you need to have accountability in order to reach your goals.  If you look at any great athlete like Michael Jordan, Lindsay Vonn or Peyton Manning, they are all one thing in common. They had SOMEONE whether a coach, trainer, mentor, or even a parent, that came beside them and helped push them to become better.

The truth is that accountability will encourage you when you want to quit and help you get refocused when you forget WHY you set that goal. When we don’t have accountability it becomes easy to give up, becomes we don’t have anyone to check in with us or ask us the hard questions.

Having someone or a group of people beside you as you press on towards a goal will also make it WAY more fun! Nothing beats having a friend to cheer you on and send you words of encouragement when life gets tough. An accomplishment will mean so much more when we have someone to share it with!

That’s why I believe accountability is the missing piece in many health and fitness plans and why it’s on the of the most important aspects of the Fit for His Glory Sister’s community. In the Fit for His Glory Sisters community you will get connected with other women who are on the same journey as you are and have a desire to get fit and healthy for the glory of God! We encourage one another in the struggles and celebrate with one another in the victories!

If you would like more information on the Fit for His Glory Sisters Community, as well as to find out when the next open enrollment will take place, please fill out the form by clicking HERE.