Faith and Fitness: The Parallel Between Our Trials and Working Out

Are Fitness and Hardships Linked to Our Faith?

In this fast paced changing world, where life as we know it can instantly change from one moment to the next, the importance of both fitness and faith cannot be overstated. As most of us know, our bodies require regular workouts to stay strong and healthy. What we also might know is our faith also needs to be exercised, through trials, setbacks, and difficult hardships. Many people have a hard time accepting this fact, which is why so many end up giving up on God. But if there was a way to see difficult circumstances differently, and make things a little easier, that is the goal of this blogpost. Today we will explore the parallel between physical fitness and spiritual endurance, and illustrate how both are essential for living a resilient life.

The Importance of Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is not just about aesthetics, or working out to look good. It plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. Regular exercise moves our lymphatic system, improves our digestive and metabolic systems, and strengthens our muscles and bones. It has also been repeatedly shown to improve mental health, reduce stress, and enhance our mood. According to research, engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, commonly referred to as "feel good" hormones, which can reduce and even diminish anxiety and depression. The American Psychological Association confirms regular physical activity as a way to improve cognitive function and emotional resilience. We not only strengthen our bodies, we also strengthen our mind and emotional outlook.

Trials and Hardships: The Spiritual Workout

In much the same way that our physical bodies need to be challenged to grow stronger, our faith too must be tested through trials and hardships. So many question why life is so hard and unfair, but the Bible explains why it is. Most of the time we're too stubborn to read and study it. The truth is we were born into a boot camp for eternity. Things will be hard in this life. We know this because the Bible tells us to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) so that we may be able to stand strong in the face of evil.

James 1:2-4 (NIV) states,

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1 above explains how challenges in life develop our faith and character, in much the same way that resistance training builds muscle. Why do you think young recruited males going into the army go through boot camp before becoming a soldier? Recruits face not just physical demands, but mental, emotional, and tactical challenges that simulate being under stress. These challenges are designed to break old habits, build discipline, and forge teamwork under pressure. Challenges root us to stand. This is why God allows trials and hardships, to get us rooted in Him. God uses our problems in this life to refine us for the next, much like a drill seargent or fitness coach who pushes a soldier or an athlete to reach their full potential.

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. ~Psalms 26:2

When we don't challenge ourselves physically, our bodies weaken. Faith also weakens when it is not tested spiritually. When trials come, it's normal to respond with raw, human emotions such as shock, anxiety, anger, or sadness before experiencing elevated faith. These initial reactions aren’t failures or lack of faith. They indicate you are in the testing ground. They reveal where faith needs strengthening or reframing. Just as physical training exposes our weaknesses, trials expose our spiritual ones and where God is perfecting our faith in Him.

Abundance and Blessings

We know what "gluttony" can do to our health from a physical standpoint. Likewise, we can acquire a spirit bogged down with "glutton." Many boast online about the blessings they have, which ultimately can come from God, but focusing on the things God provides and not on Him has a direct effect on our faith because having all that you desire is a dangerous place to be, spiritually. Why else would Jesus have said this, 👇

"And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." ~Matthew 19:24

As far as I see it, there is another side of the coin when it comes to experiencing trials. Either your facing actual hardships (emotional pain, poor health, being broke, lack of education, lack of support), or, your not. The other side is having more than what you need (supportive relationships, money, health, knowledge or happiness). These two extreme life situations are otherwise seen as poor or rich, sick or healthy, depressed or happy, abused or supported. But no matter what outlier we land in, or what point in between those extremes we're sitting comfortable in, God is always testing our faith.

In 2 Corinthians 12, verses 1-10, Paul stated it himself that boasting does no good. He stated that while reluctantly sharing a little about his revelations of being "caught up to paradise," to hear things that could not be expressed into words. Things that no human was allowed to tell. He wished to share that experience but did not. "I will boast only about my weaknesses," stated Paul in verse 5. His maturity in Christ prevented that. He went on to say that even though he was given wonderful revelations from God, he was also given a "thorn in his flesh" to keep him from becoming proud. He begged the Lord three times to take the thorn away but each time, God answered back with, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." Perfect example of showing why having abundance from God, whether with material things or revelations checks our dependence on Him. Hardships work as a reminder that our weaknesses become the stage where God's strength shows up and becomes clearly visible.

Having all that you need and want is a full blown spiritual trial, in disguise.

So should over abundance always be viewed as a trial? In fact, not only is having all that you want a full blown spiritual trial, it's the most dangerous one. It's a trial in disguise. This is the doublesidedness of how God works that most don't see woven throughout scripture. Having everything we want puts us in a place where we stop relying on God. The more we get, the less we think we need Him. If you don't believe that, read King Solomon (1 Kings and 2 Chronicles). Solomon's life is one of the clearest demonstrations of how abundance, wealth, and comfort can weaken our devotion to God. Even though his reign began deeply dependent on Him, praying earnestly for wisdom, Solomon eventually became spiritually unfit. After his rise to power and fame:

Scripture intentionally shows:

• No more personal prayers

• No more seeking God for guidance

• No more dependence language

• No more humility
  

Instead, his focus went to:

• building idolatrous shrines

• luxury accumulations

• political marriages

• military expansions

But if you prefer modern day, non biblical statistics to demonstrate the danger of having over abundance, it can be shown. Though there are nuanced exceptions, multiple major datasets have shown that higher‑incomed Americans pray less than the lower‑incomed. Data has also shown wealthy groups attending church more regularly, but their overall religious involvement (prayer frequency, belief strength, spiritual practices) are lower. Poor Americans may not attend as often but identify themselves as being more religious. Data also shows the wealthy attending for social or cultural connections.

Attending church is one thing, but being in prayer is quite another. Attendance is a public behavior. Prayer is private and personal.

Athletes often push their limits to reach their performance goals and gain experience. Similarly, our faith is stretched out and strengthened when we gain experience handling hardships. Consistent workouts lead to confidence in performance. Likewise, enduring trials by not abandoning our responsibilities will lead to deeper faith. Both processes require commitment, patience, and the willingness to push through discomfort.

Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) reinforces this idea:

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

The Fitness and Hardship Connection

The benefits of physical exercise extend beyond just the physical. Did you know that engaging in regular exercise, specifically strength training, leads to improved mental clarity, mental strength, and better emotional stability? Mayo Clinic showed us that physical activity alleviated symptoms of anxiety and depression, symptoms that usually come from trials and hardships. In other words, we can use fitness and exercise to get us through those hardships easier! Amazing right?

It is documented that we handle psychological stress better by using physical stress. God designed us to handle physical stress very well, just not persistent phychological stress for very long. Was that intentional? Possibly, but isn't that the kind of stress we seem to be enduring more often these days? I believe so. Moreover, the psychological stress we endure today is multidynamic. This is why we not only need exercise, but the Word of God. Below are some suggested exercises and scriptures for differents types of trials or hardships:

Handling Psycholocial Stress Using Physical Stress

Struggles	Scriptures	Exercise
Feeling hopeless	Psalm 23:4 Even in the darkest valley, God is beside you.	Weight training
Feeling angry	Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge… for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge,’ says the Lord.	Running
Feeling overwhelmed	Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.	Walking
Societal anger	Proverbs 29:8 Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.”	Dancing

Although fitness can be super helpful during our struggles, we should remember that relying on God should be our primary focus, regardless of our circmstance. I see many fitness fanatics and experts all over social media promoting exercise as practically a religion. When we do that, we ultimately idolize fitness, gluttonizing on the benefits of being physically fit. Physical training is certainly a need and helps us deal with hardships more positively, but spiritual training in Christ is also a need. It is better because it is healing, hopeful, and eternal. Fitness strengthens the body, Jesus strengthens the soul.

Physical training is good, but spiritual training in Christ is better, deeper, and eternal. ~1 Timothy 4:8

A Holistic Approach to Fitness

In summary, both physical fitness and spiritual faith are vital components of a healthy, hopeful life. By engaging in regular workouts, we not only improve our physical health, we improve our mental well-being. Keeping a sound mind, in many cases, is half the battle! A sound mind can then view hardships as spiritual trials before God's final one. Doing so, we develop spiritual endurance.

Both fitness and faith require dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to grow. A workout routine takes a written plan of action and determination to see results. Likewise, building a spiritually awakened mindset through the Word of God equips us when trials come our way. Committing to a fitness plan can then ultimately be viewed as committing to keeping our faith strong. Fitness isn't just for the body fellow readers. It is an act of faith. By viewing it that way, we experience our body and spirit becoming stronger together, for now and for eternity!

Let us run with endurance the race set before us… fixing our eyes on Jesus. ~Hebrews 12:1-2

Written by Lupita Ronquillo, Ordained Health and Healing Minister for Vegan Health and Yoga

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References:

1. https://www.catholic365.com/article/59266/the-luxury-of-faith-how-wealth-not-want-is-linked-to-church-attendance.html?utm_source=copilot.com

2. https://zipdo.co/church-attendance-statistics/?utm_source=copilot.com