Strength to Strength

I have been exercising and strength training for most of my adult life. When I worked as an aerobic instructor, I would incorporate moderate weights to stimulate muscle growth into the exercises and gradually increase the amount of weight and repetitions to improve overall strength and endurance. I have noticed as I have gotten older, that strength training has become more difficult, but I know and remind myself that the results are worth it. As followers of Christ, we need to challenge ourselves to go from strength to strength in our faith so that we will become stronger during difficult seasons, and to continue to see the many blessings that each season contains.

Growing stronger in our Christian faith requires discipline and perseverance. We must die to our flesh, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and develop spiritual rhythms to increase our faith. When Paul encouraged Timothy he explained, “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 4:7-8). As Christians, we should practice disciplines like Bible study, scripture memorization, prayer, thankfulness, fellowship, generosity and fasting to help us grow, and transform us to be more like Christ.

Faith, like muscles in our bodies, will atrophy without exercise. Taking a few necessary steps to develop better habits is essential to staying strong in your Christian faith. A simple truth I have discovered is to be thankful in all things, even when things are bad and painful because it refines and grows us. We are reminded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” To exercise this truth, try recording prayer requests and praise reports that will encourage you and remind you of his faithfulness. Also, standing firm and memorizing scripture will increase your faith. Growing from strength to strength in the Spirit gives us greater clarity and purpose and we must press forward with renewed scriptural fervor to grow up in the faith.

Dear God, please give me the strength to face the day and see the many blessings it contains. Give me the courage to persevere and rely upon you and your strength and power to guide and teach me, so that I can be transformed and grow stronger in my faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Throughout this Day: Take some time with God to evaluate what areas of your spiritual life especially need “strength training”. Then commit to one change that you will make with his enablement to strengthen one of these areas.