“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)
My husband and I come from athletic families. Sports have always been an integral part of our lives. We have football, basketball, and soccer players; ballet dancers, ice skaters, and cheerleaders; kick boxers, wrestlers, and martial artists.
Paul’s words, in the above scriptures, make me think of my son, Joshua, who teaches self-defense and kickboxing. He also works out four to five days a week. The discipline pays off. His muscles are well defined. He has energy and stamina that I can only dream about.
His movements are fluid, quick, and precise. The defenses are so ingrained in him that the techniques are reflexive–like they are a part of his body’s natural makeup.
He’s passionate about his particular sports: Krav Maga, Crossfit, wrestling, kick boxing, and self defense training. He is dedicated to every aspect of fitness–the exercises, the diet, and giving his body time to recover.
We talk quite often about his goals. He’s only eighteen, but his main goal in life is to be a righteous man, as God defines righteousness in the Bible. He says that since he was sixteen, he has desired to live a life of righteousness and become a man of character and honor. I pray that God will fulfill Joshua’s desire for righteousness in a special way.
When people meet him for the first time, they are intimidated by his size–six feet, two inches and 215 pounds of solid muscle. When they listen to him speak, however, they recognize a young man whose love and passion for Jesus guides his life more than anything else. Joshua is a young man who works harder to build his spiritual strength and character, than he works on developing his physical body.
I am definitely encouraged and challenged by my son’s commitment. As I face the daily struggles of physical pain and limits, I find myself relying on God to help me focus on my relationship with Him and not my circumstances.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us care for and train our spirits with the same diligence that we use for our physical bodies.
About the Author:
Dorothea lives in California with her family. Although she has endured the challenges of chronic illness for more than 20 years, she trusts in God’s grace to help her get through each day.
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Question: Is there a young person in your life who inspires you and challenges you with their devotion to Jesus?
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 