Fit for the Kingdom

By Terri Bell

There’s a song we used to sing in church when I was a child. The leader would say, “I’m a soldier in the army of the Lord,” and the congregation would echo back, “I’m a soldier in the army of the Lord.” The song went on to talk about putting on your armor and being prepared to go to war.

I remember the sound—how bold and powerful it felt. The passion in that call and response was more than just melody; it was a declaration. And now, as an adult with real-life experience as a soldier in the army, I understand more clearly what it takes. It takes preparation. It takes discipline. It takes physical fitness and mental readiness to handle the missions that come with protecting a nation.

But let’s talk about the Kingdom. What does God say about physical health?

Honestly, I believe as believers in Christ, we’ve focused so much on faith, on renewing our minds, and gaining spiritual wisdom, that we’ve neglected the body. But being fit for the Kingdom is essential. Why? Because God wants us ready—to go where He sends us, to stand where He places us, and to serve with excellence in whatever platform we’re assigned.

The Bible is clear: our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. That alone makes this physical vessel worthy of care, discipline, and stewardship. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you…? Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, NIV).

Just like we renew our minds with the Word, we need to renew our health. Our wellness is not just physical—it’s spiritual stewardship. We can’t say we’re offering God our whole selves while treating our bodies like afterthoughts. And for too long, especially in some church cultures, we’ve viewed the body as filthy rags or irrelevant. But God gave clear instructions on how to eat, how to rest, and how to live well. The herbs of the earth were created with purpose (see Genesis 1:29). Food is medicine—and medicine is stewardship.

Scripture also speaks to obedience and purity, especially as it relates to our physical selves. If we truly carry the Holy Spirit, how can we dishonor His dwelling place? “Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1, NIV).

These bodies? They’re not ours. We’re managers of God’s property. And the better we care for them, the more effectively we can carry out our purpose. “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2, NIV). Being fit for the Kingdom brings seven powerful characteristics into a believer’s life:

1. Honor to God

We honor God by treating our bodies as holy and pleasing sacrifices. When we choose discipline and self-care, we reflect a lifestyle of worship. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1, NIV).

2. Discipline and Self-Control

Good health trains us in divine discipline. It helps us resist cravings, control emotions, and make wiser choices. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things” (1 Timothy 4:8, NIV). And let’s not forget Proverbs 25:28—“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Without self-discipline, we’re vulnerable to anything and everything.

3. Strength and Endurance

When our bodies are strong, we can run harder, press further, and last longer—even when the assignment is tough. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).

4. Clarity and Rest

God is not a God of confusion. He’s a God of order—and rest. When our health is in alignment, our minds become clearer, our decisions more grounded. “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for He grants sleep to those He loves” (Psalm 127:2, NIV).

5. Wholeness and Healing

God wants us whole—mind, body, and spirit. Not worn out or weighed down by preventable illness. That means consistently investing in all parts of ourselves. “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 30:17, NIV). And in 3 John 1:2—“I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

6. Purposeful Living

With good health, we have the stamina to pursue the calling God placed in our hearts. The enemy loves to slow us down through illness and fatigue. But the Word says: “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God… I will not bring on you any of the diseases… for I am the Lord, who heals you” (Exodus 15:26, NIV).

7. Kingdom Readiness

This is about being prepared for the assignment. Not scrambling to get in shape when it’s time to show up—but staying ready. Staying equipped. Operating in consistency, not convenience.

Let’s not get ready. Let’s be ready. The mission is too great to be caught slipping. God said, “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). That includes what we eat, how we live, and how we treat our bodies.

Can you imagine the impact we’d have if we built our bodies up with the same intensity that we built our faith?

The sustainability. The influence. The territory we could take for the Kingdom—if we stewarded our health like the weapon it is.

So when I think back to that old church song—“I’m a soldier in the army of the Lord”—it hits different now. As a child, I sang it with joy. But as a grown woman who’s walked through battles in both the natural and the spirit, I understand what that declaration really means.

Being a soldier requires training. It demands preparation, discipline, and resilience. You can’t go to war without your armor. And you can’t carry your assignment if your body is breaking down under pressure you could’ve trained for.

God didn’t call us to just be spiritual soldiers, but whole soldiers: daughters, sons, kingdom citizens —fit in mind, body, and spirit. Soldiers who are strong enough to run with the vision. Soldiers who are clear-headed enough to make sound decisions. Soldiers who are rested enough to hear God’s voice and healthy enough to endure the mission.

This is Kingdom work. And Kingdom work requires Kingdom readiness.

So the next time you declare that you’re a soldier in the army of the Lord, ask yourself: Am I physically fit to fight? Am I healthy enough to carry the mission to the nations? Can God send me, and I go without hesitation—mind, body, and soul?

Because being fit for the Kingdom is more than a phrase—it’s a call to action.

So lace up. Strengthen your body. Discipline your habits. And stay ready—because soldiers don’t wait to get in shape after the war has started.

They live ready.

Let’s be fit for the Kingdom.