There's a different kind of strength that God cares about and He'll do the heavy lifting.
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:30-31
I was working in the children’s church recently when one of my boys came up to me, muscles flexed. He wanted me to feel just how strong he was. I, of course, obliged and told him he was SO STRONG! He beamed and said he knew.
Gosh, kids are so fun…and they can teach us so much if we are willing to listen and learn.
He knew he was strong because he had the “muscles” to prove it, and he had undoubtedly been told many times those muscles meant he was strong.
Our understanding of strength is formed at an early age. From the physical world around us, we equate strength with what our bodies can do. What our bodies can do is shown by the muscles we carry. This drives many to lift heavier and more to build the muscles the world defines as strength.
But, as the prophet Isaiah reminds us, “…even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.” Physical strength is of some value, but there is another kind of strength we need that only comes from the Lord.
This kind of strength takes longer and more work to build. It isn’t something you can see bursting from your shirt sleeves.
This is the strength that comes from perseverance, determination, and faith. You can only build this kind of strength by going through the valley and coming out on the other side.
Jesus cares about your heart and what it went through to get where it is now.
Jesus is My Personal Trainer
At Revelation Wellness, we love to think of Jesus as our personal trainer.
When Jesus is our trainer, He builds in us a strength that is far greater than six-pack abs. I hate to break it to you, but Jesus doesn’t really care about the size of your biceps. Jesus cares about your heart and what it went through to get where it is now.
When I think of His training plan, to build that strength in us, I immediately think of James 1:2-4
“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Anyone who trains their body can tell you you won’t see results after one workout. We would love to lift once and see the benefit, but that’s just not how strength training works.
That’s not how it works when it comes to building our faith muscles, either.
These are the muscles built through enduring trials and tests, much of which the world may not see.
But, our personal faith trainer stands with us as we lift the heavy burdens, knowing that once we finish this workout, there will be more coming. He stands by us as we keep lifting, keep persevering, and slowly but surely, our faith muscles begin to grow.
With time, the burdens that felt so heavy on our hearts will feel lighter. The burden hasn’t changed; we have. These are the strength gains the Lord sows in us when we stick with Him through trials. This is ultimately the training He has called us to.
You in?
Krisi is a Revelation Wellness Instructor (Platoon 23), leading fitness and wellness through her ministry, Faithful Fitness with Krisi. She is also an autism advocate and author along with her husband, Joey, for their son, Eli. Krisi works at a Pregnancy Resource Center as a Client Services Manager.
Training For Your Body and Soul
You probably know the benefits of a comprehensive strength training program are essential at all stages of life. But maybe you are new to this type of training or need help with how to progress from your current level to the next.
We know that strength training can often feel overwhelming, which is why we’re inviting you to embrace the heavy weight and push back the confusion and fear!
It’s time to move like you never thought you could. Build strength and feel better in mind, body, and soul. Come join us and “Get Strong.”
