Faith and Fitness - Let’s Grow!

What works when life has just kicked your feet out from under you?  You know . . . the kind of event (or series of events) where you find yourself laying flat on your back with the wind knocked out of you.  You’re dazed and confused.

Where do we go from there?  Do we bounce back up on our feet?  Not in these kinds of circumstances.  Do we struggle with anger, frustration, bewilderment, depression, and/or bitterness?

What works to weather the storms of life?  I’ve been there.  My last trip to a combat zone was extremely challenging.  It was war at its worst.  My world turned dark, and there seemed to be no answers.  I was frustrated, confused, and disappointed.  I sought out a Christian colleague I felt I could trust for some guidance.  How did he help?  He gave me a good ‘ole Christian cliché, “Trust God brother.”  Unfortunately, many well intentioned Christians tend to give clichés during tough times.

A cliché is “a phrase, expression, or idea that has been overused to the point of losing its intended force or novelty, especially when at some time it was considered distinctively forceful or novel.”

You’ve heard them:  “I’ll pray for you.”  “Let go and let God.”  “You know, God loves you.”  “Have faith.”  “What would Jesus do in your situation?”  “God said it. I believe it. That settles it.”

What works for me when life kicks my feet out from under me?  The basics: personal Bible study, prayer, Christian fellowship, and accountability.  Even when focusing on the basics God can be silent at times.  When He is silent I am drawn to this inscription found in a Jewish hideout in Nazi Germany,

“I believe in the sun even when it is not shining.
I believe in love even when not feeling it.
I believe in God even when He’s silent.”

Are you laying flat on your back dazed and confused with the wind knocked out of you?  Hold on tight my friend, and focus on the basics.  I understand how you feel.

Faith and Fitness - Let’s Grow!

Tomorrow is “The Biggest Loser” finale on NBC.  Finally . . . a reality show that may have a little “reality” in it!  I love the message of this show: exercise + eating right = a healthy life style.  The “reality” of this show is anyone can do it.  Granted, the participants soley focus on exercise and eating healthy.  They don’t go to work, take care of kids, pay bills . . . so in that respect the show is not “reality” as you and I know it.  The participants’ sole focus enabled them to lose an amazing amount of weight is a short amount of time.  Check out the finale tomorrow night, and see how these folks have transformed their lives.

“The Biggest Loser” documents the struggles they had with staying consistent, staying disciplined during temptations (to slack or eat junk), and how some battled the emotional issues of an unhealthy life-style.  It is extremely hard work to accomplish what they have accomplished!  Could we do that?  We can all show the same kind of dedication if we want something bad enough.  Did you get that?  If we want something bad enough.  This principle of dedication follows one of my bottom lines of life:

“Anything worth having takes work.  If having it didn’t take work, then everyone would have it.”

Let me explain.  Having a good marriage takes work.  In our society more than 50% of marriages end in divorce.  Now, think of the couples you know who are married.  Do they all have a good marriage?  Probably, not.  Couples with a good to great marriage in our society are in the minority.  Why?  It takes work.  “Anything worth having takes work.”

We hear in the news regularly about how out of shape the United States is.  This is painfully obvious if you have spent an extended amount of time outside of the good ‘ole USofA.  It slaps you in the face when you return!  We’re an out of shape society.  People who are fit and in good shape may be in the minority.  Why?  It takes work.  “Anything worth having takes work.”

Spirituality - only you and God know where you are at spiritually.  Living a life growing closer to the Creator and walking in a personal relationship with Him takes discipline.  It takes discipline to cut time out of the day for a quite time, Bible study, and church fellowship.  It takes discipline to follow God’s manual for life–the Bible.  Does everyone have a growing relationship with God?  No.  “Anything worth having takes work.”

There are many other areas where this bottom line applies - friendships, raising kids, finances, and employment (just to name a few).  So, don’t wait around for the winning lottery ticket or your luck to change.  Take responsibility for what you want to accomplish.  Write down some goals (planning), tell someone about them (accountability), and get to work (action)!  Do you want to make changes in your life?  Well, get after it!

“Anything worth having takes work.  If having it didn’t take work, then everyone would have it.”

Pursuing genuine faith and a fit life-style have many parallels.  Here are some keys to staying motivated:

1. Consistency – same time, same place. This goes for both workouts and personal Bible study/prayer (quiet time).
2. Accountability – if someone is going to ask you how your workout was or how your quiet time went you’ll stay more consistent.  Seek out both spiritual and exercise accountability (friend, co-worker, pastor, fitness coach)!
3. Realistic Goals – set reasonable short term goals that lead to your long term goals (e.g., stick to a regular quiet time or workout plan for a week, eat healthy today). Short term goals turn into habits and life-styles.
4. Record Goals and Progress – keep a quiet time journal of growth in your relationship with God, record the workout for the day, list detailed goals and prayer requests. This will help you to stay on track and will serve as a great motivator when you look back on your successes, spiritual growth, and answered prayer. I have looked back in prayer journals from years ago and was struck by the faithfulness of God in my life!
5. Get Moving! – The most difficult part of the day for me is the first 10-15 minutes after the alarms goes off. What helps me the most is to just “get moving,” not think, and hit my routine.  If it’s a run day I get my workout clothes on, splash some water on my face, brush my teeth (helps to wake up), drink some water, and head out the door. I try not to think, but just move. If I think I tend to talk myself out of working out. “Get moving” also applies to working out later in the day.  So, GET MOVING . . . YES . . . YOU!
6. Aim for the A.M. - try to workout and have your quiet time in the morning before your day begins.  I know . . . I think the same things, “In the A.M.?!  Before the sun is awake?  Is God awake?  Ahhhggggg!”  Here is what you gain by getting going early.  Morning exercise awakens the metabolism and senses and kick starts your day. I believe a morning quiet time does the same thing for us spiritually. A morning quiet time sets the day in perspective, allows time to pray for the activities of the day, and quiets the soul helping us to hear from God. I’ve always felt better when I have started my day out right—quiet time and exercise! I don’t hit this everyday, but when I do it’s well worth it.

Achieving goals in faith and fitness takes determination and consistency. Both take “strict training” and a desire to “get the prize,” but remember which one is more important.

I Corinthians 9:24-25, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

Faith and Fitness - Let’s Grow!