Kingdom Fit – What is Endurance? – [Day 9]
According to CrossFit, true fitness is made up of 10 skills. They are Cardiovascular and Respiratory Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, and Accuracy. Take a moment and try to define each one in your own words from a physical standpoint. Over the next 2 weeks we'll be going over what it means to get ready and stay ready as it applies to these 10 physical skills and how they should manifest in our spiritual lives.
Exploring Endurance:
When we think about proper function of the body, everything can be traced back to “blood flow”. Where the blood flows, the body grows. But where the blood stops, the body drops. This is why cardiovascular endurance (your heart) and respiratory endurance (your lungs) are so important. By them working together, it ensures that your blood can flow to your muscles which then provides you with enough energy for movement. From a physical perspective, the more you move, the fitter and stronger you become.
So how do we improve our endurance?
Simply put, you’ll need a “test” and time. Physically, you can do this by spending time in an activity that makes you “endure” which could take the form of a long distance walk, jog, row or another aerobic activity. It doesn’t have to be overly “intense” but it has to be continuous and for a length of time.
Not surprisingly our spiritual endurance is developed the same way. If we look at how the bible describes spiritual endurance, it requires the same 2 factors, a test and time.
GET READY:
Read James 1:2-4.
James 1:2-4: Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
What does the word teach about enduring? Notice the passage says "when troubles come your way". How does that help you prepare for trials in your life?
STAY READY:
Take a look at the other highlighted passages of the verses again. How can we get better at "enduring" while enduring? Notice that the bible gives us 3 clues on how to develop better spiritual endurance.
HOW CAN I APPLY THIS TODAY?
- GET READY: Be mentally prepared because trials WILL come and your faith will be tested.
- STAY READY: Be JOYFUL through it all, because this is going to help you grow and become BETTER. And when this trial is over, you will be COMPLETE - lacking nothing.