Me?\u00a0 No!\u00a0 My grandsons?\u00a0 Oh. My. Soul.\u00a0 They are muscular hunks. \u00a0The oldest is a body builder and competes at an extreme level.\u00a0 And the youngest two spend one to two hours a day in the gym.\u00a0 They are athletes and working out is a regimen that gives them confidence and super athletic abilities. And they eat what\u2019s good for them. In fact, I just got through making Brennan His “standard” breakfast comprised of: 5 eggs with extra egg whites, package of roasted chicken rice, two toasts with peanut butter and jelly, grapes and a protein shake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope you\u2019re still reading after that question \u201cAre you buff, toned and muscle-bound?\u201d, because, quite frankly, most of us aren\u2019t. But I\u2019m not asking the question about our bodies. I\u2019m asking about our \u201cfaith muscles\u201d. I\u2019ve learned many lessons in God’s gym. My faith muscles have had a good work-out and some days I can lift some heavy stuff. We go to that gym because we know we need to stay fit when it comes to our faith and determination to keep on keeping on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faith is very much like a muscle. The more we use our faith muscles and exercise them, the more they grow. And the more we grow, the more we can lift. Others will even notice our faith muscles. Someone who is a man or woman of faith is not merely gifted with it, their faith has become noticeably larger because it has been worked out over time until it can be seen without even flexing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I ask God to \u201cincrease my faith\u201d, He provides me with increased opportunities to grow muscles. YIKES!! Not the most pleasurable experiences \u2013 working out often hurts! Some of those workout routines may look like an illness that we or a loved one is facing, a job loss, a difficult relationship, trials or testing struggles. I can hear the Fitness Coach giving oversight to their student: \u201cGive me ten more! Give me five more!\u201d That fitness coach is building up those muscles! And God, our Faith Fitness Coach uses each workout routine to give us the opportunity to depend on Him more, to trust Him for every breath we take, to spend more time in prayer with Him, and to get as close as we can to Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once we get spiritually fit, the issues that once plagued us (i.e., fear, despair, worry, unbelief, hopelessness, concern) seem to have little effect on our strong belief and trust in God. This blog was inspired by a dear friend who has had some major physical issues. This woman’s faith muscles are so developed that despite the symptoms and through the greatest tests, she still proclaims \u201cNothing is impossible with God\u201d. She won\u2019t even let anyone question her \u201cfaith muscle\u201d stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What doesn\u2019t kill us, makes us stronger. So many faith-muscle-bound people encourage us. I\u2019ve got several of those \u201ctrainers\u201d in my life. Perhaps, you need to start with the best muscle strengthening program available. Here are some of the \u201ctraining manual\u2019s\u201d tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
~ Hebrews 11:1 — \u00a0\u201cNow faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.\u201d
~ 1 Corinthians 16:13 — \u00a0\u201cBe on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.\u201d
~ 2 Timothy 4:7 — \u00a0\u201cI have fought the good fight; I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.\u201d
~ Mark 9:23 — \u00a0\u201cJesus said to him, ‘Can you believe? All things are possible for one who believes.”
~ Matthew 21:22 \u2013 \u201cAnd whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
~ Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
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