On Your Mark. Get Set. Be Better.
When I chose this photo as the header for my January 2026 Be Better newsletter, it felt motivating. I figured that every woman (myself included) who opened the email and saw the image would feel a sudden surge of motivation and jump up, ready to go…
to the gym
on a walk outside
or follow a YouTube workout at home
But then I recalled several conversations with women recently where we commiserated over a common struggle we were all having…a deep, lingering lack of motivation. St. Paul always gets a mention here, not doing the good that he wants to do, but what he hates to do instead (Romans 7:15). Speaking for myself, I have a gym membership. I have time. I have easy access to a treadmill at the gym and weights at home. None of this is hard. And yet? I don’t do the work.
Motivation isn’t always about laziness; sometimes it’s about heaviness, or distractions, or even spiritual resistance. Could it be that God actually wants us to get moving, and we’re not? Yikes.
Looking for some insight to share with women in my newsletter, I came across Hebrews 12:
Lift up your tired hands, then, and strengthen your trembling knees!
~ Hebrews 12:12
Would it be enough to inspire all of us to conquer our lack of motivation? I was skeptical. But I kept reading and started to find that there are better reasons to get up and moving besides just self‑care. We could see it as an opportunity to make it a prayer experience, and much more. Here’s how the Lord walked me through it—and how I invite you to pray (and exercise) with me:
Keep walking on straight paths… (12:13)
Prayer:
Lord, as I get up to walk—at the gym, around the block, or in my living room—grant me the grace to desire walking on Your straight paths in life. At every crossroads, help me discern Your will. Guide my steps so I never wander from the peace and joy You desire for me.
…so that the lame foot may not be disabled, but instead be healed. (12:13)
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for the gift of being able to move. I offer today’s walk for those who cannot. Heal those who suffer physically, and heal me of whatever is holding me back—discouragement, fear, excuses, or lack of motivation. Make me a better steward of the abilities You’ve given me.
Let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way… (12:1)
Prayer:
Lord, reveal anything weighing me down—habits, thoughts, excuses, spiritual heaviness. As I walk, purify my mind, my emotions, and my choices. Free me from the sins and distractions that I allow to cling so tightly to me.
Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus… (12:2)
Prayer:
Jesus, You endured the cross and never gave up. Thank You for setting the example. Help me persevere—physically, emotionally, spiritually—and fix my eyes more firmly on You with every step I take.
By the time I finished reading Hebrews 12 that morning, something in me shifted. I realized that movement is more than exercise.
It’s prayer.
It’s obedience.
It’s stewardship.
It’s healing.
It’s becoming more like Christ—one step at a time.
And THAT is where our motivation can come from.
If you’ve been struggling with motivation, I want you to hear this:
You are not behind. You are not weak. You are not alone. And you are absolutely capable of being better—through Christ who strengthens you.
Start small. Start slow. Start today. Call a friend to get moving with you, or commit to calling or texting each other daily for accountability. One step is still a step. And one prayer-filled walk may be the moment the Lord uses to renew your strength.
Here’s a gift to keep you motivated.
In that January Be Better newsletter I mentioned, I shared a free lock‑screen wallpaper designed to keep Christ-centered motivation in front of you all day long. This time, it’s encouragement from Romans 12. You’re welcome to download it here.
I’ll be adding more Christ-centered wellness wallpapers regularly—so our phone, the device many of us look at most—can speak life, hope, and encouragement into our day.
Sign up for our mailing list and receive more free inspirational wallpapers to help you keep Christ at the center of your wellness journey.