“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

When I was younger, I never worried about gaining weight. I was a “skinny little thing,” and at 5’3,” weighed 98 pounds soaking wet when I graduated from high school in 1971. At one time, I could eat anything I pleased. Oh how I wish for those days.

However, age has caused my metabolism to slow down. When I was in my 40s, I began a serious exercise routine because as we grow older our muscle mass deteriorates and our bodies begin to decline if we don’t take care of them. It requires exercise and eating healthy to maintain strength and energy.

Gym memberships increase after January 1 when people make New Year’s Resolutions to get in shape. However, many often lose the drive to continue on their new routine after a few months. At the beginning, they are encouraged by the thoughts of “a new me.” For some, it soon becomes drudgery if not done for the right reasons. Getting in shape requires desire, sacrifice and endurance to continue on the path to physical fitness.

So does exercising our faith. Just as we can’t get physically fit by sitting on the couch, glued to the TV and munching on potato chips, we can’t get spiritually fit by just attending church on Sunday. We aren’t going to grow more Godly by osmosis. We have to learn to exercise our faith through effort.

Author and missionary, Elisabeth Elliot, says, “Faith has to be exercised in the midst of ordinary, down-to-earth living.”

Media messages bombard us daily with Chicken Little’s message, “The sky is falling. The sky is falling.” Instead of placing our faith in God, we place it in man.

If we want to increase our faith, we have to take action, which means consciously ignoring the world’s messages and concentrating on God’s word. Jesus told His disciples, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustardseed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Now, that’s a strong faith, isn’t it.

Sometimes, I wish I had mustard seed faith. Just as I exercise my body daily, I have to keep cultivating my faith. And when I recall His faithfulness in the past, it strengthens my trust in Him.

Another faith exercise I use is to begin each day with a picture of what God is doing in my life. I do this through prayer journaling. By praying and meditating about my day, I listen for His voice. Through this practice, I see His presence in every aspect of my life.

How strong is your faith? Does it need a little daily exercise? If we experience it regularly, we will find ourselves in the best spiritual shape of our lives.

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About Carol Round

I have been writing stories, poetry
and essays since I was first able to hold a pencil. Although I have been a freelance
writer for more than 25 years, I turned my passion for writing into a full-time
career after retiring in 2005 from a northeastern Oklahoma public school
system. My passion is using my writing
to inspire others.

I have written articles for national
magazines, like Western Horseman, American Profileand Mature Years. My essays have appeared in
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,”“Hometown
Heroes”and “Raging Gracefully.”

“A Matter of Faith,” my self-syndicated column,
is currently running in 12 Oklahoma newspapers and two collections of my
columns are also available in book form. Carol’s latest book, “Journaling with
Jesus: How to draw closer to God,” was just released and can be purchased at http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000522049/Journaling-with-Jesus.aspx
or at www.journalingwithjesus.com.

I always love hearing from my
readers and I especially welcome hearing about how God has worked or is working
in your life. Readers may contact me at carolaround@yahoo.com or check out
my blog at www.carolaround.com
to purchase copies of my books and read more inspirational thoughts.

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