Written by Mary Martinez
Have you ever physically trained for something before? Maybe it was for a sport when you were growing up or something more recent, like training for a 5K race or a marathon? How about working towards losing those extra pounds you may or may not have gained over the last year?
Training and exercising our bodies is challenging, it takes commitment and discipline. Oftentimes, it can be a painful, uncomfortable, and lengthy process.
Our family enjoys working out together. Recently, our oldest son joined in for a pretty hard workout session with my husband. The following day, he was extremely sore, and by golly, we heard about it all day long! Finally, after he complained about the 100th time, I decided to sit him down and explain to him why his body felt sore. I hoped it would help him understand the process and purpose of the pain he was experiencing.
I shared with him that when you workout it causes microscopic tears in your muscles and tissue. The pain and soreness is a side effect of your muscles repairing themselves. Basically, you’re breaking down your muscles so they can be built back up stronger. The soreness is a by-product of the healing process.
After a good workout you should be sore because that means you challenged your muscles, which in turn stimulates growth. It may be painful for a day or two, but it is critical if you want real change. The soreness is pain with a purpose.
Naturally, our flesh wants to avoid or run from pain. We don’t want to feel uncomfortable.
Yet, for change to happen to our bodies, we have to challenge them, stretch them, and, yes, feel uncomfortable at times. Like our bodies our faith needs to be tested, challenged, and stretched in order to grow. If it isn’t we run the risk of never deepening our faith and becoming the woman or man of God that he longs for us to be.
“For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.” Hebrews 12: 10
“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening— it’s painful. But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11
It’s easy to just read scripture that makes us feel good, to only do bible studies that talk about hope, love and peace. The reality is that our faith needs to be challenged and tested.
Not only with our quiet time with the Lord, but also with the church we attend and friends we keep.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12: 1-2
I ask you, is your church or pastor pushing you to examine your life and to “grow”? What about your friends or family? Just like muscle soreness and pain when we workout, spiritual growth is oftentimes painful. Painful at first, but when we acknowledge that there are areas that we need to work on and put in the time and effort to change, we grow. We become stronger and develop more endurance for this spiritual race.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
Our faith takes effort. We can’t be idle. Don’t be afraid of a good sweat and sore muscles.
Let’s get to work!
Mary Martinez
