This has been a “year” for me. I’ve had to face some really tough people as well as some heartbreaking and scary personal situations.
From the loss of a dear friend to a cancer diagnosis to two surgeries to a tough decision with some hurtful backlash, I’ve been in the storm for longer than I care to be. It seemed just as one issue worked toward closure, the next one introduced itself. Now that I’m coming out of that season, it’s nice to see that the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t a… train.
You know what helped move me through the tough time? Exercising.
Not the kind you are thinking about, though. Yes, my late evening walks did help my stress level… but I’m talking about a different kind of exercise. During this time, I worked hard to stay positive, hung in when there seemed no hope and because of that… developed my “Spiritual Muscle” (aka SM).
Your SM is what you get from walking through a hard time… and coming out on the other side stronger. God uses these times to test us to see what we’ll do. Will we lean on Him or walk away?
When we lean in… press into Him… trust Him to get us through the storm… we develop our SM.
I bet you’ve developed you’re spiritual muscle. Can you remember what season (or seasons) helped you build it up? Yes? Well then, here’s what I encourage you to do…
Create a “Spiritual Muscle Journal” or SMJ.
Take time this week to journal about how God has helped develop your SM. I literally want you to write in a paper-filled journal or create a Word document on your computer… doesn’t matter. But get these “seasons” documented in great detail. Include things like:
- What was the storm about?
- When did it take place?
- Did you press into Him immediately or did it take a while before you submitted?
- What was God trying to teach/show you?
- Who or what did God send to help? Certain scripture? Lyrics? Sermon? Friend?
- How did it end?
It’s so important to have this in written form. Know why?
- So when the next storm comes (and it will), you’ll be able to look back in your SMJ and see God’s faithfulness and restoration.
- So your “response” to these tough times will change from a human reaction to a Godly perspective.
- So you can leave a strong spiritual legacy through your life stories to encourage your children (or other significants) to stand and trust in the storms of life.
Look, God is alive and active! And by documenting His footprints and handprints in your life, it not only serves to encourage you in the hard seasons… but it has the potential to encourage others, too.
Why not share it with me. I’d love to hear about your workout… 🙂
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