How Resistance Can Lead to Strength
Today’s Truth
The testing of your faith produces perseverance.
~ James 1:3 (NIV)
Friend to Friend
My daughter plays competitive volleyball and recently began a
specialized resistance plyometric workout called Vertimax training. The
actual Vertimax equipment looks rather unimpressive. It’s a sturdy
platform that hosts a complicated series of industrial-sized rubber
bands. The results of training with this system, however, are anything
but unimpressive. This advanced resistance-training helps to increase
vertical jump, strengthen and protect muscles, and accelerate an
athlete’s reaction time. Everything a volleyball player wants!
But let me tell you, it is hard work.
Kennedy trains under the careful watch of a guide who knows just how
much tension to add and to allow on the platform. And she works through a
rapid series of reps to the point of fatigue, and sometimes to failure.
The resistance of the bands increases her strength, but not until her
muscles are worn down. After fatigue sets in and the muscles break
down, healing begins, and she grows stronger as a result.
Just like in life.
Trials and tension can lead to stress or to strength. Often both!
Challenges can tear us down, but they also hold the power to build us
up. It’s important for us to realize that we get to choose our responses
when resistance wears us thin.
I want to honor God in both good and bad times. Don’t you? I honestly
do, but it’s not easy. I tend to get upset about the breakdowns and
strains I have to deal with. The Bible shows me, however, that if I
didn’t have any resistance I wouldn’t grow.
The beauty of resistance is that can lead to strength. (If we allow it to.)
Remember what James said?
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face
trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith
produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)
I read these verses and a part of me want to run the other way. But I
want to grow. I want to mature in my faith, to trust God more, to
persevere and showcase His power in and through the pressure.
So how does this play out practically?
Well, I want my marriage to grow stronger. Always. Because even
though we’ve been married a long time, Brad and I are two flawed
individuals with strong opinions and crazy-different emotions. Those two
variables alone set the table for tension, but there are countless sources of strain beyond our shortcomings. (And all the people said: AMEN!)
We know that marriages, and all relationships, are
hard work. So for my marriage to be strong - as far as it’s up to me - I
need to press through times of fatigue in order to move toward the
strength I long for when Brad and I hit the tension point. I need to
look to God, my Guide, who carefully watches me, knows all about the
hurt, and helps me through the resistance.
If I want my marriage to be strong, I can’t just be stubborn and do
things my way because my ways are flawed and weak. (This applies to all
relationships!) The ways of the Lord, however, are perfect and strong.
So I look to the Bible to instruct my heart and inform my attitude. She brings him (her husband) good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:12) She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)
When I’m stressed out by my man, or angry with him (people…it
happens), I have to pray for God to give me the grace that my heart
lacks and the willingness to forgive. Even in the times when I’m
convinced that he’s wrong. Even when my feelings are hurt or my ego is
bruised. Even when, even when, even when… (And believe me, Brad has
plenty of opportunities to do the same with me!)
The Bible assures us, Blessed is the one who perseveres under
trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown
of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
That sounds good to me. I like to know that there is a reward that follows the fatigue.
On the Vertimax platform when the tension bands are removed, an
athlete experiences the benefits of the training. Testing brings
perseverance. It’s a promise.
What resistance are you facing today? Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:4)
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Forgive me for wanting to find the easy way around the
resistance that can be used to strengthen me. Help me to appreciate the
value in the strains and struggles I endure. Build my strength today in
the fatigue I face and help me to look to You and walk in Your grace.
In Jesus’s Name I pray,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
JAMES CHALLENGE: Ready to grow in the strength of God? Read the
entire book/letter of James. Do it today or do it this week. However
long it takes. Are you in? Click here to let me know by leaving a comment on my blog.
More from the Girlfriends
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Girlfriends in God
What resistance are you facing today?
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