Build Your Spiritual Muscles

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. -Romans 8:37

Even though you are not of this world, you still live in this world; therefore, tests, trials and temptations are bound to come your way.

Many people think, Well, tests and trials only come to make me strong. Some have even written songs with that message!

These people may have been taught that sickness and disease come into their lives to teach them something or to make them more pious.

But sickness, disease, tests, trials and temptations will never make you strong. If they did, you’d be Mr. or Mrs. Universe by now! It’s what you do with the tests and trials you face that makes the difference.

Think of this principle in terms of weightlifting. A weightlifter wants to develop his muscles, but he’ll never reach that goal unless he lifts some weights. He certainly won’t turn into Charles Atlas if he just sits in an easy chair reading weightlifting books and thinking, I’m going to be strong! And when he lies on the workout bench, the 100-pound weight lying across his chest won’t help his muscles gain strength unless he lifts up the weight and starts pushing it away from himself.

The same principle is true with tests and trials. You have the capacity to believe God’s Word, but you won’t be strong in faith unless you exercise your spiritual muscles. How do you do that? Every time you push your problems away in the name of Jesus, you gain strength.

People say, “I want strong faith.” But strong faith only comes by exercising the faith you have against something that’s contrary to the Word of God.

We normally don’t look forward to tests and trials. But every time a problem arises, we can say, “Glory to God, here’s just one more opportunity for me to develop my faith muscles and prove that the Word of God works!”

CONFESSION:

I develop my spiritual muscles by using God’s Word every time problems come against me. When my body says, “I’m sick,” I say, “By Jesus’ stripes, I’m healed!” The Word works for me because I work the Word.

From: A Devotional for Divine Health Prescription for a Miracle, Mark Brazee, 1999