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 has also been shown repeatedly to improve mental health, reduce stress, and enhance our mood. According to research, engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, often referred to as "feel good" hormones, which consequently, reduces and even diminishes anxiety and depression. Moreover, the American Psychological Association highlights that regular physical activity improves 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. We were born into a boot camp for eternity. We know this because He tells us to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) so that we may be able to stand 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.”

This verse reminds us that just as resistance training builds muscle, the challenges we face in life help to develop our faith and character. Why do you think young males recruited into the army go through boot camp before becoming a soldier? Challenges root us to stand. This is exaclty why God allows trials and hardships, to stay rooted in Him. God uses our problems to refine us, much like a coach who pushes an athlete to reach their full potential.

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

Trials versus Blessings

The process of enduring hardships can be very much likened to strength and endurance training in fitness. We should be concerned if we are not pushing ourselves physically for the purpose of staying fit. In view of our faith, we should also be concerned if we are not experiencing trials or hardships. Yes, you read that right! Just as James 1:2-4 stated above, we should see our trials as opportunities for "pure joy." It tells us to do the exact opposite of what we would naturally do because He is getting us to practice faith and trust.

We know what "gluttony" can do to our health from a physical standpoint. Many boast online about the blessings they have, which ultimately come from God, but most people complain whenever something goes wrong. Living glutinous has an effect on us 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 support), or, your not. In other words, you have more than what you need (supportive relationships, money, health, or happiness, etc). These two extreme life situations are otherwise known as poor or rich, sick or healthy, depressed or happy, abused or supported. No matter what outlier we land in, or what point in between those extremes we're comfortable in, God will always test our faith.

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

You may wonder why I believe abundance from God is considered a trial at all. 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 a our devotion to God. Even though his reign began deeply dependent on Him, praying earnestly for wisdom, he 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 build stamina. Similarly, our faith is strengthened when we navigate life’s difficulties. Just as consistent workouts lead to improved performance, enduring trials leads to a deeper, more resilient 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 realm. 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 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. Maybe that was intentional, but isn't that the kind we seem to be enduring more often these days? I believe so. The psychological stress that we endure today is multidynamic. This is why we not only need exercise, but Him! Below are some suggested exercises for differents types of trials or hardships:

Handling Psycholocial Stress Using Physical Stress

Exercise	Struggles to Combat
Weight training	Feeling hopeless
Running	Feeling angry
Walking	Feeling overwhelmed
Dancing	Societal anger

Although fitness can be super helpful during our struggles, we need to remember that relying on God should always 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 feel great, but spiritual training in Christ is also a need. It is better, healing, 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 and appearance, which adds to our confidence, we also enhance our mental well-being. Likewise, by embracing trials and challenges that come our way as God given trials instead of destructive set backs out of nowhere, we not only gain strength and increase our faith, we also develop spiritual endurance.

As we move through our physical and spiritual life, remember that both fitness and faith require dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to grow. Just as a workout routine takes determination to see results, adopting a spiritually awakened mindset by reading the Word of God can prepare us when trials come our way. Committing to a fitness plan can 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 can watch our body and spirit become 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