Ultra-Christianity: Part 7 – Strengthens
Distance running strengthens the body. As you run over time, different areas of your body are strengthened, not just your legs. There is a common saying among Ultra-marathoners that states: “You know you are an ultra-runner if your friends and family think you're in a whole lot better shape than you think you are”, and the reality to that is, “you actually are in a whole lot better shape than you think you are.” By exercising your body on a daily, regular basis, your body benefits greatly from it, whether you realize it or not. So it is with spiritual exercise.
“I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.” – Psalm 119:32
Distance running strengthens the body. As you run over time, different areas of your body are strengthened, not just your legs. There is a common saying among Ultra-marathoners that states: “You know you are an ultra-runner if your friends and family think you're in a whole lot better shape than you think you are”, and the reality to that is, “you actually are in a whole lot better shape than you think you are.” By exercising your body on a daily, regular basis, your body benefits greatly from it, whether you realize it or not. So it is with spiritual exercise.
“I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.” – Psalm 119:32
Endurance training strengthens not just the legs, but the entire body. As I was training for the ultra-marathon event, I found that I needed to ensure other areas of my body were also getting trained in order for my body to endure the 50 mile ordeal. For example, although my legs were obviously getting a full workout and my cardio-vascular system and heart was getting stronger, I saw that my upper body and torso area needed to be strengthened as well. Hence, I started a mid and upper body training routine as part of my overall training schedule. This consisted of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and various weight training, along with distance running. Likewise, following Christ with all of your heart, mind, soul, will strengthen your entire Christian walk (prayer time, study, serving, etc). As you spend time in these areas, over time, they are strengthened. As one area of your spiritual life is strengthened, you will find other areas that also need to be strengthened or already are being strengthened. The word “strengthen” means to establish or stabilize something; to fasten or harden; fortify; support; to give strength to; make steadfast. It has a positive connotation, the impression of making something better than it currently is.
Additionally, when you individually are being strengthened, you are also strengthening the body of Christ. This is an important realization about how we impact others. We influence others by our words and actions whether we know this or not, so it is best to be healthy in these areas. For in Christ, the church is one body. In 1 Corinthians, Paul states:
“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also in Christ.” – 1 Cor. 12:12
“…and if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” – 1 Cor. 12:26
You can see that since we are one body, a healthy, strengthened part, can and does help the overall body in a positive way. This is motivation for the Christ follower to examine their current Christian walk and strengthen the areas where they may be weak.
“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.” – Isa. 53:3
Strengthening our weak areas is often easier said than done. How do we build up the weak areas in our lives? First we should recognize that we cannot do it ourselves. We should ask God to reveal the areas of weakness, ask Him for guidance and wisdom about how to deal with them, and ask Him to be alongside of us as we go down the path of obedience, in faith.
Do not fret when you may find that the strengthening process will most likely involve going through some sort of trial. Unlike training for a running race, it seems you don’t pick the trials that God uses to strengthen you. In fact, it usually is not something you even would have thought of or would have picked yourself. However, when you do finally relieve that you are in a trial, remember to turn towards Him and know that He is with you.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isa. 41:10
Through the trials in my life, I found comfort and assurance in the fact that the Lord does know what is going on, He hears our prayers, He is with us, He is there to strengthen us, and through faith we can experience in a personal way, a transcendent God, whose involvement in our lives is to bring us closer to the character of His Son.
“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man…” – Eph. 3:16
“with whom My hand shall be established, also My arm shall strengthen him.” – Psa. 89:21
“So I will strengthen them in the Lord, and they shall walk up and down in His name.” – Zec. 10:12
“…strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” – Col. 1:11
“he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God…” – Rom 4:20
“The Lord is my strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed.” – Psa. 28:8
The Lord indeed is our strength. Like Samson (Judges 14:19), the Christ follower’s true strength comes from God alone. He renews our strength so that we can endure the race of faith. Spiritually train in such a way to be open to His instruction. Our lives can be used by Him to do great and mighty things for Him and His Kingdom!
“…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…” – Phil. 4:13
Questions on Strengthening:
1) What does the word “strengthen” mean to you?
2) What areas of your Christian walk are you the most strong?
3) What areas of your Christian walk are you the most weak?
4) What are you doing to strengthen the weak areas?
5) What trials have you been through lately?
6) Can you explain how you were strengthened through a trial?
7) Give Biblical examples of how God strengthened individuals.
