So I’m dragging myself to the gym again in pursuit of better health and a stronger, healthier body. Today is what we call ‘core day’. Yep, it’s all about strengthening the ‘core’. Or other words,  torture maneuvers designed to make you feel like your stomach and sides are exploding and you’ll never sit upright again. How is this better health since it feels like I’m doing ANYTHING but helping? I know good and well my stomach is begging for me to sit quietly in my recliner and munch on Pringles. NOT do 10 more reps of a crazy exercise that I’ll feel for the next few days.

But…this is strengthening the ‘core’. It’s all for the betterment of my body…my old, aching, tired and too fluffy (hence the workouts) body.  Okay, bring it on. This will all be worth it, right?

This made me think… we try to strengthen ourselves with exercise or education or experience. But how are we pursuing strengthening our spirits? The biggest and more important part of us, the one that never dies, should get the most attention, right?

And if we agree our spiritual self is the most crucial, then how do we strengthen it? BY core work. Yes, that dreaded thought (core work at the gym that is) is also the key for strengthening our CORE spiritual self.

I asked my friend Jack what he thought this meant-to strengthen our core spiritually. I was anxious for his perspective since he’s also a personal trainer & exercise physiologist. I’m sure he’d have a great response that related to the body, muscles and how I needed to do 2 more sets without whining. However his response wasn’t a ploy for me to push thru more reps—he said the core of us is what following Jesus is all about. How everything we’ve learned from Jesus is to be strong in our faith (I totally paraphrased his response).

Our core is what sustains us and gives strength to the rest of the body. If your core isn’t strong, other areas of your body are weakened.

How is your core? Do you have God’s word leading you through your moments, guiding you in decisions, thought processes?

If you’re like most of us, you aspire to this but fall short much of the time. But you can still pursue a strong core—the faith, the trust in the Father. Believing Him for what He promises and living like you really do believe it.

This strengthens us. Our struggles, although painful, confusing and anger provoking—well, it does strengthen us. Do we like it? NO WAY. Do we need it? Absolutely.

Time with God, discussing your world, your day, your struggles, how to behave, to rewire our hearts…this is all core work.

Although there cialis for cheap price is no sure way of determining how unhappy they are. Also viagra price cute-n-tiny.com from a local pharmacy can affect the capacity of the person to move. Bladder cancer is another one of the dreaded conditions often handled by the urologists of the city. this link generic levitra online Most of the time cuddling helps to turn her on and she can get satisfaction free viagra in canada in lovemaking. To read his word so you have the instruction manual in your mind as you walk out your days—core work.

Being brutally honest with Him—your thankfulness, your anger, your sadness, your joyfulness. He knows each detail, no matter how small, of you & your life. He just wants us to talk with Him about it. Not to enlighten him (he already knows) but so we can grow closer with Him and learn to feel his presence with us. Core Work.

I’ll try to think of my days for ‘core work’ differently. No promises that I’ll learn to love the exercise, but I’ll love the results. Isn’t that what our life is also? We won’t love the tests or struggles at times, but the growth and strength in Him we gain from it…all worth it. Never wasted.

Thank you Father for strengthening us, giving us ‘core’ work to strengthen our relationship with you.

Deuteronomy 30:20
Love the Lord your God and obey His voice. Hold on to Him. For He is your life, and by Him your days will be long.

2 Chronicles 16:9
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Romans 15:4
Everything that was written in the Holy Writings long ago was written to teach us. By not giving up, God’s Word gives us strength and hope.