motivation-->results--.>motivation-->results-->motivation

it is said that if you dont give up on something, then the results of that something will be your motivation to keep going at it.

for example, when i started lifting weights, i didn't see results right away, but i felt great! ..... so i continued because the feeling was motivating. after several weeks and i could tell the littlest bit of progress, i kept going because my results were my motivation. now, as far as my muscles are concerned, i am never satisfied, but the changes in my body and my strength are my motivation to continue what i'm doing. and i just keep on keepin' on.

it's kind of like that in my relationship with God too. when i first started my journey with Him, i was quite young. it wasn't until years and several heartaches later that my life really began with Him and i started to learn to trust Him more and more. in those first weeks and months of quiet times and lengthy prayers, sometimes i didn't feel "results." i just knew that i was doing what i needed to do to get those results in my life, i.e. joy/peace/a relationship NOT religion/belief system with the One who created me (and you!). but i became "addicted" to it, to His presence, to hearing from Him, to knowing i was a part of His plan for such a time as this. and i wanted more. never satisfied, always continuing to go back for more. then i started noticing my spiritual muscles growing. something in life outta left field would hit me, and a Bible verse would come to mind. or i would think, "i'm not worried, my God is bigger than that problem." etc. or maybe i had a friend or family member going through something, and i would have the just the right wisdom to give them...wisdom straight from God's Word. i was no longer "weak," allowing the storms of life to toss me to and fro.

in seeing those results from my time spent with the Father, it was motivation for me to continue in doing what i was doing. i don't want to have spiritual muscle atrophy. i only want my muscles of faith and courage to grow...because all the biceps and triceps and abs in the world can never get me to where i wanna be spiritually.

sometimes i'll pray, read the Bible and feel "off." but that doesn't mean God isn't listening and my spirit isn't growing. sometimes i'll go to the gym and have an "off" workout. but that doesn't mean my body won't respond to what i'm doing. i keep going. i keep praying. i keep lifting. i keep reading. i keep eating healthy... i keep doing what needs to be done to get me where i want to be.

so let the results you see out of your relationship with the Creator of Heaven and earth be the motivation you need to continue in a relationship with Him. don't give up, those muscles will grow...that weakness will go away, and the strength you find in Him and His Word will be sufficient for you.



spiritual fitness > physical fitness