doing a spiritual bench press

Huff ‘n puff ‘n huff ‘n puff.

I'm not doing my best big, bad wolf impression. I'm just walking up the hill.

My workouts these days are a cinch compared to the grueling physical exercise I had in Marine Corps boot camp.

Without a drill instructor yelling in my ear, it’s hard to motivate myself to get out there and do it. I don’t like to exercise, but I know if I don’t, my muscles will lose their strength and ability to do what God designed them to do.

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To build and keep muscle, I must regularly work those muscles.

Spiritual growth works the same way. If I expect to build my faith and keep it strong, then I must exercise that faith. But how? Jesus' disciple Matthew tells us in Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and three times the devil came to tempt Him. Three times Jesus said, “It is written,” and quoted a verse from God’s Word.

He used His spiritual muscle, his faith, to battle the devil.

I can spend hours on end reading the Bible, but if I never do anything with what I read, I am not exercising my spiritual muscle. I can pray until I’m prayed out, but if I don’t believe God will do as he promises, I am not exercising my faith. I must use and believe the Word when I face life’s difficulties.

When fear assaults me, I speak out, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” - (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV)

When I think I can’t bear another day at a job I hate, I proclaim, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)

When I get out of bed everyday, I can say, “My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!” - (Psalm 57:7, NLT)

And when I do, I exercise my spiritual muscles.

These days most of us must set aside a special time to exercise, but don’t make life any more difficult than it already is. Steer clear of those admonitions that you must spend an hour praying or reading your Bible everyday. The opportunity to exercise your spiritual muscle comes every time a negative thought or circumstance knocks at the door.

Leave the pain and sweat for your physical workouts. Declare what God’s Word has to say and “experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” (Philippians 4:7, NLT)

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Debra L. Butterfield is a freelance writer and inspirational speaker. She is the author of Help! My Husband Has Sexually Abused Our Daughter, and editor and publisher of the webzine Glory and Strength.com.