The Stretch!

I’ve recently joined a “Transformation Challenge” at my gym, which has me working out more often than I was normally used to. As a result, I am very consciously aware, on a daily basis, that I do have muscles, and at times, they scream at me!

I find it so interesting that the very thing that makes me so uncomfortable, out of breath, and as close to death as I’ve ever felt (exercise), yields such good things in my body and overall health. If left alone and in a comfortable state, my muscles would atrophy and wither, but to grow and become strong, they require resistance.

Isn’t that so true of so many things in life…what brings about change in our lives doesn’t usually “feel” good and is not associated with “comfort”. I have to “stretch” myself in order to grow. I must push myself, and it’s often through the pain that transformation comes.

I’m also learning that an essential part of my workout is, in fact, to stretch my sore muscles, which again, seems counter-intuitive. My muscles are already sore, so why put myself through an ounce more? But hopefully you know, as I do, that in order for muscles to recover and become elongated, they must be stretched. Often, I’ll go to stretch, and because my muscles are so sore, I cannot even assume the position! Other times, even when it’s one I’ve done before, if it’s a muscle that hasn’t been worked in a while, the stretch can be so painful, my mind tells me it can’t be done, and I’m overwhelmed with the immediate desire to give up.

I love what the coaches at my gym often say, and that is, “your body is far more capable than your mind is telling you in this moment, so push yourself!” Wow…it’s so profound! If I push myself through those paralyzing moments when I believe I can go no further, the muscles actually begin to relax, the pain often subsides, or at least reduces, and the muscles give into the stretch, allowing me to reach past where I ever thought possible.

Isn’t life like this, as well? Sometimes our circumstances are so painful or uncomfortable that we just can’t imagine moving forward at all. Everything in us tells us that this is the end and it’s unbearable, and if we should do anything, it should be to back up…maybe go back to old, familiar ground that makes us “feel” better about ourselves or our circumstances. Maybe it’s an old, unhealthy habit, or a person, or type of person that’s not good for us…you get the picture. We have to push past the urge to stay stagnant or move in the wrong direction! That ‘comfort’ leads to atrophy or a wasting away of what God is cheering us toward!

I’m learning that if I just lean into the stretch…lean into God, stand on His promises, lean into the “new” that He's working out in me, the results are so much greater than I could have ever imagined! The ‘recovery’ becomes a part of the process, and I’m able to turn around and help coach someone else, as they are stretching through their circumstance, which often brings growth in me.

We’ve got this! Won't you join me in pressing into whatever you feel is being stretched in you right now? The outcome and the joy you find in the process will eventually, far outweigh the pain, and you won't be disappointed in your progress, I promise!