Exercise



	To the heat of the fire, to the application of pressure, to the presentation of 

temptation, and to the mountainous challenge there is the immediate reaction of withdrawal. When 

these things touch our area of weakness, we may feel exposed and vulnerable. The humanity within 

us wants to give in, fold, and run away. 

	There is, however, an opportunity for us that only comes during these times of 

difficulty. There are muscles in our anatomy of faith that will not know the exercise they need 

without these weights of difficulty. Without the resistance of trials they will grow soft and 

weak. For them to develop during this time, though, there must be a new reaction developed and 

learned that is quite opposite the one for which the flesh is screaming. There will be strength 

developed only in the muscle that resists and pushes back against the pressure. Instead of just 

dropping the weight and going back to bed, there can, in the repetition of its lifting, be a 

strength formed that will give it ever-increasing power of resistance. For the person who 

maintains a body that is fit, there is a desire and a need for these workouts that develop the 

body, even though each one might bring sweat and pain. There is this drive within that causes 

them to rise early and willingly demand exertion and resistance from their bodies. Having 

experienced the development of strength, though, there is an assurance that the reward in 

strength will far outweigh the moments of proactive resistance. They consider each workout an 

opportunity of strengthening that must not be passed by.


Jam 1:2  Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 

Jam 1:3  You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true 
colors. 

Jam 1:4  So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature 

and well-developed, not deficient in any way. 


Jam 1:12  Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty 

fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. 

	
	What is this resistance that we can have and what is the action that will enable us to 

endure the greatest of challenges? It cannot be through the sheer determination of our will. On 

our own we can only be assured of failure and acquiescence. We have, however, been given an 

incredible action of resistance that diverts needed resources from ourselves to an endless 

supply. As we begin to acknowledge the power and greatness of the One who has come to abide and 

live within us, as we begin to worship Him for His faithfulness and love, our resistance becomes 

an entering into rest in the assurance that He will answer all our prayers for help. Through 

praise and worship, our faith muscles are given action and we are equipped to press back against 

the trial with a smile. We can be one of the fortunate ones who is still standing at the end of 

the challenge as our stance is upon His promises. And, having experienced this strengthening 

exercise and its rewards, we can look forward to the next challenge with confidence and 

anticipation. There is a life full of trials and weights that will need resistance and it can be 

our privilege to lift and resist them through a life of praise. Persistent in pressing towards 

our Father with a loyal heart of love, we can be assured of a healthy, abundant and strong life. 



1/28/04