The mirror reflected something I didn’t notice before. Now don’t get me wrong, I look in the mirror every day. Though I’m sure this didn’t happen overnight, I never noticed it before. Gravity is unapologetically cruel.

I drove myself. After 20,000 miles in the wrong direction, I arrived at the reflection in the mirror. Not exactly the destination I mapped out.

Flabby isn’t part of my identity, but man, it’s a lot easier to get out of shape than in. That really doesn’t seem fair.

My hips flexed for hours on the road made my body feel permanently stuck in a sitting position. It’s not the first time I’ve been confined. At least this time it wasn’t a recliner.. Sitting is terrible for your health.

It’s about time. Finally, after a year of a commuter marriage, we sold our houses, quit our jobs and put down a stake in our life together in a new location. Now my drive time is minimal, so no more excuses, I needed to get out of this shape.

First, I tried going to the gym to work out by myself. I dabbled with a few little weights and hopped on the cardio machines for a quick spin. But after a few minutes I moved on. I didn’t have a good plan.

Then I joined a class. Group fitness comes with an instructor to point out things that might injure you, keep you motivated, encouraged, and accountable. There’s also a big mirror where you can see your muscles stretch and hypertrophy as they get stronger. I know, I know, it takes some time and effort before you see results. Repetition is key and I kept repeating.

Attempting to balance on one leg, I wobbled. Remembering the importance of focus, I stared at a spot on the floor. Success!

Glad I started moving in the right direction, though I still have to be careful because my strength is limited. But I’m committed to staying here through injury, distraction, demands and hardships. No, I’m not talking about physical exercise now.

Immobility in our faith walk has the same effect. I knew I needed to get faithfully fit too.

First, I tried to strengthen my faith by myself. I dabbled with a few little devotionals and Bible readings. Then I said quick prayers. But after a few minutes I moved on. I didn’t have a good plan.

Then I joined a class. Group study comes with a leader to point out truths, keep you motivated, encouraged and accountable. There’s no big mirror, but self-reflection about where you are and where you are going is helpful. And it takes some time and effort before you see results. Repetition is key.

If you’re wobbling and trying to balance, remember to focus on God. Effort on your part is necessary, but it’s His strength that will transform you. And His strength is unlimited. 

“For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law – I stopped trying to meet all its requirements – so that I might live for God.” Galatians 2:19 (NLT)

Stretching lengthens muscles, relieves tightness and increases the ability to move and reach. Repetition is crucial, but adding resistance really ramps up results. That’s why faith grows most when life is hard. 

It’s easy to get spiritually flabby. Circumstances crowd out our faith workout routines. Without exercise, we drift toward spiritual deconditioning. Exercising your faith muscles is as important as your skeletal muscles.

We all have good intentions, but It’s easy to drift.

“Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.” Psalm 141:4 (NLT)

Start somewhere

What shape are you in? Whether it’s physical fitness or spiritual fitness, it’s important to be intentional with training. It’s a good time to get started.

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)

How do we train for godliness? Pretty much the same way we train physically. 

• Be intentional
• Have a plan
• Accountability
• Consistency and persistence

In case you missed my news, I am now board-certified in lifestyle medicine, a subspecialty of conventional medicine that focuses on the root cause of disease rather than down the road treatments. I’ve been studying fitness and talking about it on my new podcast, “Healthy Looks Great on You.” You can listen here.

It’s a new year and whether you admit to making resolutions or not, it’s a good time to hit reset. I’m pretty confident that gym memberships increase every year when the calendar rolls to January. We all know why; without intentionality we all drift. This applies to physical fitness as well as spiritual fitness. Now is a good time to get faithfully fit.

We all need a plan and schedule to work out because it won’t just happen. Start somewhere, the benefits are immediate though not always evident.

To help you hit reset in the new year, I created a week long workshop. Sign up to receive a free downloadable workbook, information about lifestyle medicine, and tools to help you make the changes you want to make.  In addition to the 7-day email course, you’ll receive weekly podcast episodes by email.