Training Regimen

Read: Hebrews 12:3-13

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees. (v. 12)

I’m wonderful at making plans to get in shape. Following through on them? Not so much. But I’ve found that the few healthy habits that have stuck have something in common—they fit into my life and become a part of my routine. To focus on drinking more water, I started carrying a water bottle with me everywhere I went. I thought about my water intake all day and felt a sense of accomplishment when my bottle was empty.

Sometimes we think about faith as something that we either have or don’t have. But faith is actually something that can grow. It needs practice and good habits to be healthy, just like our bodies. We call these good habits spiritual disciplines. They include things like Scripture reading, prayer, service, silence, and retreat. We don’t have to drop out of life as we know it to make room for these practices. With a little planning, they can become part of your regular routine, like brushing your teeth or taking out the trash. In fact, our spiritual disciplines are just as important as our healthy habits.

How can you practice and strengthen your faith? Do you pick up your phone to read news headlines every morning? Maybe put your Bible by your bedside instead and read God’s Word when you first wake up. Do you get together regularly with a friend? Why not pray together when you meet? Our lives are full of opportunities to stretch our faith.

As you pray, ask the Lord to help you strengthen your faith.