Earth Is Heaven's BootcampNäide

Build Your Spiritual Muscle

A bodybuilder follows daily routines or regimens to build muscle and maintain it. In Earth's boot camp, it is no different; we train to win the spiritual race.

A weight lifter didn’t get toned, strong biceps overnight; it took time and patience, and that is precisely what we need as we build our spiritual muscle. Anyone who has dieted knows it can be discouraging if they don’t see results within a designated amount of time. When they don’t see results, they often quit trying.

Rule number one: never quit. Anything worthwhile in life takes time, and one of the main qualities in staying the course is having patience.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT

“But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” Romans 8:25 NLT

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Romans 12:12 NLT

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2 NLT

I used the analogy of a person on a diet because it is easy to relate to. Following Christ was never promised as an easy road. It is promised as a road filled with hope, love, understanding, peace, forgiveness, and an eternal reward! Eternity in His presence will make the pot holes on Earth’s journey well worth it.

I know that when I learned to ride a two-wheeled bicycle, I fell more than once, and most of us did. However, if we hadn’t kept trying, we would have never known the feeling of pedaling fast, the joy of balance, and the enjoyment it brought.

To never quit, our spirit muscle comes when we build stamina, endurance, and persistence, and it all takes patience to keep us standing!

Prayer: Lord, common sense tells us that if we do a little at a time and go slow, learning, doing, and yes, getting back up, we will build through experience. Be our strength in weak times, and may the Holy Spirit nudge us to keep going. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.