Miracle-working exercise

Increase your energy and flexibility,, relieve pain and stress,

Sounds fantastic! So how do we achieve these wonderful benefits? I was recently surprised to discover that stretching is a miracle worker. Stretching exercises can produce a variety of physical and psychological benefits.

Did you know spiritual stretching can also work wonders? Have you ever tried to climb a ladder that required you to stretch as far as you could to reach the next rung? This is a lot like growing in the Lord. He brings us into situations that require us to stretch our spiritual "muscles."

When we face circumstances that our own logic suggests are hopeless, we need to stretch our faith muscles. The Lord has not changed, nor have His promises, but each new challenge requires a little more trust and a little more faith.

Life's trials can also seriously strain our submission "muscles." Fourteen years ago, when my husband was in the ICU on the verge of death, I had to stretch my submission to be willing to accept the Lord's will... regardless of whether my husband lived or died.

Unexpected turns and difficulties we don’t understand may require a deeper surrender. The Lord may lead us to do something or go somewhere our flesh doesn’t want to go. He may ask us to lay our dreams and desires aside.

We don’t get to choose when or how these "stretching exercises" take place, and if it were left up to us, they would be easy and infrequent. They are, however, not in our hands but are all ordained by our Lord and under His supervision.

Spiritual stretching deepens our relationship with Jesus, relieves stress, and soothes emotional pain. In short, stretching our muscles of faith, surrender, and submission yields a greater sense of peace, security, and joy. It opens the door for the Lord to do the impossible. "But refuse profane and old wives' tales and exercise thyself rather unto godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7 KJV).

Spiritual growth takes time and effort. There are no shortcuts. The question is, do you want to grow? Are you willing to have your spiritual muscles stretched?