How to Get Strong

Did you know that when you start a strength training program, you are not actually building more muscle but simply engaging the muscles you already have in the first four to eight weeks? It isn’t until you begin to work and engage your muscles fully, and therefore build your nervous system connections with your muscles, that you tap into the potential that is already there.

While you may feel that you are stronger, able to lift things in daily life and do things you couldn’t do before you are actually engaging the muscles you already had. After that initial phase, you do begin to put on muscle if you continue to increase the workload. Doing the work to engage and build your muscle has so many benefits in life, and it feels so rewarding. You begin to experience the results of all your hard work as you find you can do things you couldn’t do before. It could mean you don’t get tired from daily life so you have energy for active recreation at the end of the day, or it could be entering a race or making a team. You could have the ability to try new things like rock climbing or skiing or kayaking. Newfound strength is fun.

These same principles apply to our spiritual life. We are not to sit idly by and wait for God to zap us into spiritual strength. We are to work at it.

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” –1 Timothy 2:15, NLT

Other translations begin with other action phrases including do your best, make every effort and be diligent. It is clear we are to work hard so we can present ourselves to God, being a worker ready to do good for Him. We have so much strength potential already available, we just need to get to work and connect our hearts and minds with His Word and realize we have what we need to be strong.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” –Ephesians 6:10

Talk about having strength potential already available to us! What does it look like to get strong in the Lord and in His mighty power? That might mean reading your Bible regularly and praying, trusting Him with your days. You will feel spiritually stronger by spending time with Him, and you will see the results each day. You may want to join a Bible study group, take a course, go on a retreat or find a mentor.

You can continue to grow your spiritual “muscles” so you can present yourself ready to do whatever He asks you to do. That may mean having the strength to face your challenges with hope or encouraging a friend and giving them hope when they are in need. You may be able to consider doing things you wouldn’t have before like leading a small group or Huddle, volunteering with a ministry or speaking at an event.

Both physically and spiritually, you must continue to work hard to keep your strength. Continuing to be diligent and making every effort to stay strong means you cannot rely on past efforts to carry you. Each day is a chance for you to build your spiritual muscles and see where God is at work. Being strong brings opportunities you never imagined and it is worth every effort.

What strength plan are you going to make to get physically stronger?

What strength plan are you going to make to get spiritually stronger?

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” –1 Corinthians 16:13-14

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.” –1 Thessalonians 3:12

Question: What does true strength look like to you? 

Challenge: Choose an area of the spiritual life you’d like to grow in—prayer, Bible reading, discipleship, etc.—and make a game plan for how you will seek God’s direction in it.

CTA: If you’re jump shot isn’t where it should be, you spend more time after practice working the range of shots. If you don’t make weight for your wrestling meet, you work extra on cardio and strength training to make sure you hit it next weigh in. Like our physical training, we need to know what we need for our spiritual wellbeing and the steps to take to get there. Strengthen your spiritual muscles with FCA’s THE CORE. 

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.