The reality is that most of us avoid anything that seems
like it will be unpleasant; yet those that are committed to fitness have a
different perspective. They view the discomfort of workouts as a necessary evil…
in order to achieve their goals. In fact, many get to the point that they look
forward to “the burn’”
One article I read was on a blog called “Refine the Mind”;
the title of the post was “How to Love Exercise: The Crucial Mindset Shift” by
Jordan Bates. In the blog he talks of the fact that if one is exercising just
to enhance physical appearance, it probably won’t last. He goes on to list good
reasons for why one should exercise… (and by the way, it is amazing how the benefits
of physical exercise help combat many mental and emotional struggles that are
epidemic in our society… i.e. anxiety, depression, self-image, motivation,
etc.)
Yet, although I hope this week’s devotion encourages each
to get in better physical shape, mostly I hope it reminds us of the importance
of spiritual shape!
The blogger stated that there has to be a paradigm shift
to the way one views fitness… stating that if it is viewed as “optional, pretty
soon it will be absent.” I believe that is accurate from a spiritual mindset as
well. Christian growth/fitness is based upon renewing one’s mind… a paradigm
shift in how we think. (See Romans 12:2)
One of the big areas we must change our view (thinking)
is in how we approach adversity / trials / “storms” in life. Each of those
descriptors carry the idea of something unpleasant; they are things that we
spend much energy, and here much teaching / preaching on, trying to avoid…
Recently I wrote about my new fascination for the
buffalo; the fact that a buffalo will run into a storm, not away from it. If we
are going to grow… become more spiritually fit… we must decide to go to God’s
Fitness Center!
God’s Fitness Center, according to Scripture, is adversity
/ trials / “storms.” We should not be dismayed when life hits hard… that is the
equivalent of sticking to a fitness plan… with God as your personal trainer!
Get out your “Playbook” and read: James 1:2-4!
While you have it open read: Romans 5:1-5
On another blog (called “Biblical Fitness”) it stated
this: “Do you struggle to view difficult
times and daily inconveniences as something that God can use for good? I know
that I often do. We should humbly ask God to change our mindset towards
difficulties in our lives, including our attitude towards the hard work of
disciplining our bodies.”
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