Exercising is a bodily exertion mostly for the sake of training or losing weight. There's running, spinning, weight lifting, yoga, swimming, cycling, aerobics, rock climbing, hiking, dancing, playing sports, rowing,... how many did I forget? When you're really into it, when you're giving it your all...You sweat. You grunt. You break through physical barriers. You surprise yourself at your own strength. You begin to morph. You tone. You get muscley...I don't- you might. And in a couple weeks that run that was kicking your butt is a piece of cake.
Does exercising faith work the same way? It seems like it should. In each of us there is a level of faith. Some of us may be body-builder-faith-havers, some of us may be getting-there-faith-havers, some of us may be wimpy-wimpy-puny-puny-faith-havers. I've always had an unshakable faith. I knew God lived. I knew there were miracles. Faith. Faith to move mountains. But lately, I haven't been so sure. I haven't been resonating with Faith. I was asking God for help and nothing was happening. Prayers were unanswered. That didn't seem fair. I do everything I am supposed to do. I go to church, fulfill my calling, give service, and on and on. Why is the help not coming? Why am I feeling like it will never come?
So. I have decided to exercise my faith the same way I would exercise my body. By pushing it to the limit. Working on it every day. Training my Faith. And I have discovered it's harder than physical exercise. By a lot. It's going to take more time. By a lot. And I don't even like physical exercise. Not even a little bit.
But...
I am giving it my all. I am pleading with God every morning and every night. I am kneeling and seriously trying to communicate with my Heavenly Father. Sometimes I am vocal and very specific and sometimes I just cry and know God hears my heart breaking. I am trusting God where I never have before.
It's not easy for me. It's even hurting a little. The hardest thing for me to overcome is myself. My fears, pressures, and thoughts. I'm not ready to run a spiritual 5k... or even a 1k. But I think I am breaking barriers. I know I am sweating. And giving it my all. And I feel a change. Slight but evident.
"Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand." Doctrine and Covenants 58:3-4
5 comments:
What a great post Patty, and I think it's something everyone could use a little of. Ironically I just posted about physical exercise! Maybe I should be focusing on other things more :)
I can't say that my faith is unshakable, but at the same time I have never had a really difficult time exercising it. In the past several years I have gained a great testimony of God's plan. I am sure of it, and sure of Him. I can't say that if I were faced with something devastating in my life that my faith might not waiver...but that truth still stands. God is in control...and although it's difficult to see...there are blessings in all our experiences. You have a great outlook on life....and I loved reading this post. Thank you.
PS. One of my favorite books, that has brought me so much strength in times like this is called 'Receiving Answers to Our Prayers' by Gene R Cook. It's a simple and straight forward read, and the tactics are tried and true, at least for me. I refer to it often, it sits by my bedside...and I love it.
Hang in there!
Pats, I think you are doing the exact right thing. I find that I cling to prayer and scriptures even more when I'm going through something, and though the trials are horrible, there is so much comfort that comes from communing with Heavenly Father. There's this quote I used to paste into my EFY girls' books every week - "God may not answer prayers right away, but he will always be on time." You'll get your answers eventually. The trick is to trust him.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing that about Faith. I know I need to exercise more Faith also. Right now, John is out of work and it has been a real trial in our lives. I plead with God a lot for answers and I cry and talk out loud sometimes also. I know we will be blessed because of this experience, but I need to be more patient and keep the faith that all will be well.
I keep looking to see if you posted new posts and I thought I commented on this one. Oops sorry. I loved reading this post though! I never thought of it as literally "exercising your faith". There are things I am not the best at, however, I am striving to become better at those things. As you say, "breaking barriers". Thanks for writing this and helping me think of faith in a different way.
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