Exercise...It's Spiritual!

 

 

 

image taken from nokaut.pl

I find it amusing that my morning devotions, taken from the Jesus Calling devotional book, was about seeing our "trials as exercises designed to develop your trust-muscles".

Because yesterday, at my 2nd Chiropractor appointment, I was taught a new exercise for my lower back muscles. The goal is to strengthen them from the injury I had 5 weeks ago, so that the sciatica will go away!!  I was all set to go out and buy a fitness ball, when the receptionist, who happens to be a young friend from church, told me she could sell me one right there from the office and even pump it up for me!! What a blessing!!!  So...I ended up with the brand of fitness ball you see above (I only bought one!!).....they're from Italy....and I LOVE it!!

I do the exercise a few times throughout the day......and it seems to be working!!

I was told I MUST re-teach my brain how to move my right hip, leg and back muscles because I've been walking oddly due to the 5 weeks of sciatica.  So....I'm being very diligent in doing my 2 stretch exercises.

And of course, this morning devotional had me looking up the Scriptures related to the anecdote the author wrote.  

We need to be exercising our trust muscles!!!

We need to re-teach our souls to trust in God if we have slipped away from that. 

  Yes, it is important to exercise our bodies....especially as we age...I want to regain my full range of motion and be pain free!!  This has seriously put a damper on my summer....I had so many plans for the month of August that I just haven't been able to accomplish due to this pain!! And...along with it has come frustration, fear, and worry.  All sins, my friends.  I need to exercise my trust muscles while exercising my body!!!!

I never had trouble with working out until this summer after those days of painting and moving furniture.  Biking, kayaking, hiking, power-walking and simple yoga were my work out methods!!  Sometimes I would do the Wii Fit balance and cardio workouts, in the winter months. Most of the time, I power walk or bike. And I haven't been able to do that!! It has been very frustrating for me!! I am not used to just sitting and resting and doing stretches!!!!!!  It has brought fear into my mind......fear that I won't be able to ever enjoy those things again..........but.....

When we are fearful, we need to speak it aloud to God.  We need to give Him our worries or fears and re-affirm our trust in Him.  Satan will try to discourage us and keep us from that inner peace and joy.  GOD alone is our strength.  

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song;  He also has become my salvation.  Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  And in that day you will say:  "praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His Name is exalted.  Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things...." Isaiah 12:2-5a

Satan will slink away from us....when we resist him and call on the name of Jesus!!!

I have taken steps to regain my flexibility, strength, and range of motion.  Yes, I am still trusting God to take away the sciatica pain. And it IS beginning to lessen.....the chiro  told me it won't happen overnight...I need to re-train my muscles and learn better stretches.....and I can hike again after some time.........meanwhile, I am refreshing my body with different work outs.......and.....

We need to refresh ourselves spiritually.....we do this by being in the Presence of God. I like to tell my daughters that we need to practice the presence of God......I tell my small group ladies the same thing...and I remind my self the same thing!!

Practice the presence of God.....Speak His Word, Sing His Word, surround our selves with encouraging friends, Scriptures, Songs of praise and worship.  And pray.  Continuously.

God is our Strength, Song, and Salvation.  TRUST HIM!!

Start exercising.........!!