I have never done weight training. But I have two sons who, at times have done it extensively. I work with gals who have trainers who help them and encourage them as they tone and build muscles, become stronger and leaner
I have never done much of it in a physical sense, but I have sure done a lot in the spiritual sense.
In scripture, we are taught about strength. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul encouraged young Timothy to "...be strong...endure..compete lawfully...study..." (2 Timothy chapter 2)
I applaud physical health and physical strength, yet our bodies are not our own. "...didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 from The Message)
It matters that we are strong. Lifting an increasingly heavy weight builds muscle.
In the same way, enduring trials and the difficulties of life in the strength that our Creator provides in His Holy Spirit builds spiritual stamina and faith muscles.
I will be the first to tell you that I am physically weak. Very weak. I have never tried to be physically strong. If it is heavy, I don't even try to lift it. I quit. I call someone stronger than me to do it. That doesn't make me lazy, or irresponsible.
In the same way, when I face a heavy and difficult life situation, I call Someone stronger than me. In no way does that diminish my worth or value.
The goal of my life is to face each heavy moment in victory, and I simply can not do that without some seriously strong help.
Those who want strong muscles do the work. They sweat, grunt and groan with increasing repetition.
They follow the training, challenged and encouraged to persevere. If results are desired, then sacrifices must be made in order for those results to manifest.
I don't have a lot of desire to be physically strong. But oh how I want to be strong in the undeserved love and grace of God!
I am thankful to know His love more than before, but I believe scripture's teaching that His love is beyond my comprehension. I will never know it fully on this side of eternity.
Yet, I purpose myself today to try.
