Developing strength takes a long time. There are no quick wins. There are no shortcuts. It's a process of time. What's the old saying? 8 weeks you notice, 12 weeks the world notices? Something like that. Any how, few make it to 315 pounds on a lift let alone exceed 500. There will be a few of you that will say “yeah no kidding, RJ” but I don’t think you understand what I am saying. I am not saying lifting heavy is the only choice. I AM saying that going to the gym and lifting is THE choice.

For example, think about your day.

You woke up early wanted to have some time with the wife but she wasn’t into it. Fine. You roll out of bed, shower, get ready. Traffic was insane and you caught yourself swearing a few times. Give some grace for sure but really they know they can’t cross three lanes of traffic to make a right turn! There just wasn’t enough coffee to start the say. 3 cups would have been just right but Jack over in accounting didn’t reset the pot after he took the last cup. Can you believe some people?!

The moment you walked into the office it was one demand and deadline after the other. The wife burning up your phone like it was the rain forest. I mean she realizes you have a full time job right? Then lunch comes around you were in such a rush you forgot your protein shakes and carefully prepped meals.

you’re starving. So you grab that burger and fries at lunch. Screw it.

On the way home you realized it was your turn to go to the store. you promised the wife you would pick up stuff at the store, run a few errands. nope. Just want to get home. You’ll order pizza for dinner. Just something easy. Kids will be happy and so will the wife (she won’t have to cook) and maybe you can get some peace. Besides you deserved it, you made the goal weight for this week early. Though you do have to stop by the hardware store for light bulbs.

On the way out you noticed a cart from the store rolling toward a nearby car. Unfortunately your hands were full all you could do was cringe as it made contact against the paint. You reassured yourself that there was nothing you could do in time. Coming home that evening you spend time with the family and stresses at home take over

You realize all the improvement projects that have to get done and your wife reminds you too. Well she doesn’t get it. YOu need to chill. Self care ammi right? Any case you could get them done but the thought hardly excites you. Then that sinking thought hits you still have to go to the gym. Between everything you did today, the things at home piling up it’s probably a waste of time going to the gym. It’s not like you could focus and work hard enough to make a difference.

Ok maybe it’s not a disaster you deserve the day off. You hit some PRs already and tomorrow you have a presentation at work. A good nights sleep and not having aching legs will set the day right. Maybe some cuddle time will put the wife in the mood.

********************

Matthew 4:1-11

See how the negative decisions start to compound your day? If the enemy is bold enough to test Jesus, he sure enough is going to test us. The enemy sneaks in and you don’t even know it. It may be an old sin that you thought was conquered long ago and there it is calling to you again. It could be something as simple as God giving you a chance to serve Him by helping someone out, but you let the moment pass. Not all those moments are going to be in your face.

When we make decisions we often do not think of the long term results. We think of gratification; what will make us feel better, get us to short term results. Lifting is a life time study and it's not all just about fitness. It’s about the hard right over the easy wrong.

Soda vs water. Pizza vs chicken. Tv vs the gym.

This isn’t right vs wrong. This is discipline. The discipline to maintain even in the face of not wanting to. We are our own worst enemy. We often rationalize the best possible outcome.

I'm not ready. I need more energy. Just not the right time.

We are not going to be 100% in every situation we face. Predators (human or not) maximize their strengths for our weaknesses. You are no different when it comes to yourself. Is it any surprise we binge or eat bad when we are at our lowest?

Do you think God is going to call when you’re absolutely ready? Lifting does more than prepare your body. It prepares your mind. Doing what you have to do, what you should do, even when you don’t want to.

Facing challenges while dealing with adversity is part of being a Christian. Our Lord never said this would be easy. Even the simple things. The gym is a place where ordinary people display extraordinary determination. Every man there is facing similar issues. Long days at work, demands by family, friends, all seek to take you away from your training. Remind yourself what God wants from you. Did he shy away from what He had to do?

Our emotions cannot be trusted. In today’s world people make moral decisions based on concepts of fairness or equality and put them into a circumstance, mostly by sympathizing with the party that would be left worse off. It makes us feel good to make decisions this way.

The impact of the emotional system on morality is further strengthened by the fact that a moral judgement is often quick, and done by “feel”. Meaning that decisions of morality are largely emotional decisions: general goodness or badness; good vs evil and so on.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

We can’t trust ourselves when pushed against a wall.

Choose the hard right over the easy wrong.