Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Over eight years ago, I covenanted with God, with His grace, that I would do my best to take care of my heart that misses a beat. Because of poor life choices, work-related stress, plus, bad eating habits, I caused my heart to become diseased and eventually I suffered a stroke. I have changed my lifestyle entirely, while I keep believing God to heal my heart, and restore it to its full natural capacity.
Whole and real foods have become my diet of choice, and I have been working out regularly at the gym and some of the exercise parks available in my area. Working through so many lifestyle changes has become a focus in my life. One of the keys that resulted in my present good health was knowing that I was always working through a phase of hardship to the eventual accomplishment I was after. Plus, I did not resent the slow progress that sometimes showed up. Zec. 4:10a Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin. It took a lot of effort and time, but truly worth it.
While working out at the gym, one of the noticeable regularities is that each person is working through something in their workout routine. Some, are working through a new pain that occurred since they started exercising the muscles in a different part of their body. While many, are working toward their goals of strength and weights that they set for themselves. Others are just working out how they are going to get through the first week of training while wheezing, grunting, moaning, and screaming, “I’m never coming back,” or “I will get through this come hell or high water.”
The overall theme is – everyone is working through something, and it is going to take more than just talk to get their weight-training and lifestyle changes done. It’s going to take the diligence of heart and character to work through some of the difficulties that will be encountered. Prov. 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Every level of training brings new challenges, and it is no different in our walk with God. There will never be a time when we are not going through some kind of spiritual growth and strengthening in our faith. Phil. 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Remember that the rain falls on the just and the unjust equally. There will be some hardships in life and that is part of living. However, we have our heavenly Father who will guide us through the difficulties. The Lord will help us stand by faith in the promises of His word.
The Apostle Paul who suffered extensively throughout his ministry had many reasons to give up but wrote that God had continually rescued him. 2Tim. 3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Name it, and Paul went through it.
I don’t know what you are going through right now, but please realize that you are travelling in a temporary place. You do not have to stop and live there for the rest of your life. You are walking through the valley of shadows because you are battling what life throws at you.
We are all working through something, and they who know their God will come out victorious. We will eventually see that we were growing from glory to glory. It may take time, but as in health training, it is worth it, because this holy training is of eternal value. God bless you and give you the strength to accomplish what the Lord has put in your heart to do.
We are all working through something, and they who know their God will come out victorious. We will eventually see that we were growing from glory to glory. It may take time, but as in health training, it is worth it, because this holy training is of eternal value. God bless you and give you the strength to accomplish what the Lord has put in your heart to do.
Bless you richly miss Jami
I pray a complete healing for you and that God gives you the desires of your heart.I ask God to give you this word in Jesus name. Psalm 107:20 He sent them an assuring word and healed them; He rescued them from the pits where they were trapped.
Thank you for this. I continue to work through my health challenges with HOPE in the Lord, that He still has great plans for me. You are such an encouragement to my heart. Thank you.
The muscles have been corrected, so you have no excuse to not go to the gym. Blessings bro.
Good morning Norm,
Thanks for this article it is definitely a word in due season for me! I am walking through…
Bless you
As I'm reading, I'm numbering the things I'm working through! Thanks Norm. Pure encouragement this blog is. Hey, why do the people in that gym have little sea creatures in their body? I'm staying away from there!