I am currently on vacation. During this time, I will be mostly offline. I am getting some rest, generating new post ideas, and enjoying time with my family. While I am away, I thought I’d share with you my top posts. Whether you have read this particular post or not, I think you will find the content relevant and useful. I am excited to share it with you again!
I’ve been going to the gym faithfully for the last year. I was in decent shape before, but not in great shape. Also, I was in the military during my younger years so I got used to some of the physical demands of the military. During my college years I took a weight lifting class, tennis class, and a jogging class. Those were the best college classes ever!
I decided to join the gym for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to feel good about myself, and I also wanted to look good – truth be told. It’s like Fernando said, “it’s better to look good, than to feel good” – probably not entirely true. Second, and the most important reason- honestly – I just plain and simply wanted to be healthy. I do not relish the idea of spending my senior years with health problems, going in and out of hospitals, and spending my 401K life savings in medical bills. That wouldn’t be much of a retirement.
I’ve really gone through an an impressive transformation. No, I wasn’t 400 pounds, and lost 250 of it. But my muscle tone looks good, I can actually see muscles, I have more energy, I feel more confident, and I feel like a success.
What I have learned through this physical transformation that I’ve been going through this last year is that:
- It’s a process. I didn’t just go to the gym one day, developed muscles overnight, toned my body. It has taken many hours, days, and months to be where I am at.
- The results are not immediately noticeable. I know that from the first day when my muscles first started aching that something was happening to my body.
- It takes hard work and perseverance. I didn’t stop after a day, or a week if I didn’t notice immediate results. I’ve been at it for almost a year now, and I am going to continue for the foreseeable future.
The same way I’ve been through a physical transformation, you and me go through a spiritual transformation.
- Transformation of the way we think. Romans 12:2 talks about mental transformation. We have to renew our minds: 1. what we think; 2. How we think; 3. Why we think.
- Transformation of the way we behave. Galatians 5:19:26 details the acts of the flesh and then goes onto contrast against the fruit of the spirit.
Spiritual transformation is not like the Incredible Hulk. Where one minute you are Bruce Banner then the next you are are a green hulking being. It doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a along process. It’s an arduous journey with many bumps, distractions, heartache, and frustrations along the way.
What have you encountered in your journey of spiritual transformation?
This really stood out to me: “We have to renew our minds: 1. what we think; 2. How we think; 3. Why we think.”
For lasting transformation to occur it takes a long time. Many times I want immediate results…I hate to wait. But that’s not how it works. It takes a while to redirect our thinking processes, it doesn’t occur overnight. But it also needs constant work. If we don’t work to renew our minds, more than likely it’s not going to happen.
Thomas, that’s right on, it starts witht the mind. We have to battle our thoughts every step of the way in order to allow transformation to occur. God Bless.
Good stuff juan. Its a process. Love those words and a reminder that it is a day to day journey and process. I love the last two points you made of the spiritual process and to me they are so connected. As we transform the way we think our behavior begins to change. If we look at our lives and attempt to simply modify our behavior….nothing will change. I love the order you put them in because to me it shows it must start with a change in our thinking if we ever expect to see change in our lives. Great post!
David, as humans we try to change our behavior first, before we change our thinking, that’s why we fail often. You are right on when you say, “If we look at our lives and attempt to simply modify our behavior….nothing will change”. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. God Bless.
I don’t know that it’s this way for everyone, but it builds me up spiritually and emotionally as I physically work out too. Of course, I listen to sermons, teachings, or audio books as I work out, but it’s been a great space to think, pray, reflect, and breathe in the busyness of life. It’s so awesome to see results, but you’re so right–you have to stick with it to get there (in everything). Good thoughts, Juan. Thank you!
Jason, working out in the gym is awesome. It does dove tail into other parts of life, especially spiritually as you point out. Thanks for sharing. God Bless.
It’s a daily process. We go through leaps sometimes during certain seasons where God is really working on us, but being transformed into his image is a constant process.
Loren, and that process starts the moment we being to align ourselves to God. Thanks for sharing. God Bless.
These are some true points about changing any area of your life. It takes faith to keep doing positive things even while you can’t see the results right away. Great post man!!!
Dan, thanks for stopping by and sharing.