Building a Strong Core

Building a Strong Core

by Diana Scothorn

Having a fitness background, I understand the importance of strength. It’s necessary to have a solid core to have optimum results. Weak core muscles can lead to fatigue, less endurance, and injuries.

The Mayo Clinic tells us there are five main benefits of a strong core:

1) Injury prevention 

2) Reduction of back pain 

3) Improved lifting mechanics 

4) Balance, stability, and posture 

5) Improved athletic performance

Interestingly enough, the same is true with our…

…spiritual core.

If we’re not rooted in the word of God and don’t understand the importance of having a strong foundation to stand on, we’ll experience unnecessary pain.

God’s Word doesn’t prevent pain from ever happening. However, it does give us the courage to face the pain as He works out all things for our good. (Romans 8:28) Running from our problems doesn’t make them go away; it just leaves them in the place they are until we are face to face with them again.

In the past, I became an expert at not facing my pain. I lost my sister and brother both at a young age, and then eventually lost my previous marriage to betrayal. I chose to ignore the pain and bury it in my heart as if that would make the pain go away.

It didn’t go away but instead began to pile up until the heaviness in my heart couldn’t bare the burden anymore.  Eventually, our pain will spill over into our family, friends as well as careers. We were never meant to carry our burdens!  Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Like our physical core, having a strong spiritual core will support us during trials. It’ll help us to stay on course and not lose our way (stability) and keeps us on the course (balance) as we place our hope and trust (posture) in Jesus. Jesus will lead the way, but we must keep our eyes fixed on Him.

Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.”

Jesus will help us endure, as well as secure our heavenly reward! When we trust Jesus, He will help us finish our race!

There is no burden too significant for Jesus to carry!  There is no sin too big for Jesus to forgive, and there is not one good thing He will withhold from our lives when we recognize that Jesus paid the price for us to enjoy our life!

When I find I’m fatigued, easily offended, and distracted from the course I’m on; I immediately recognize my spiritual core is becoming weak. 1 Chronicle 16:11 says, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.”  Ephesians 6:10 tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

It may require discipline to work out our physical and spiritual core consistently, but the weight of our reward is greater than the burden we support!

If we want to be vital, powerful witnesses, we must spend time developing our spiritual core to live the optimum life Jesus died to give us!