Being in Training!

What's on my mind this morning? Being in training! In so many ways, I am in training right now in my life! Something I am learning (and pretty slow at it sometimes, I must admit), is that being in training means putting oneself under pressure. If transformation is to take place, or serious refining, then one must submit to a process of being 'under pressure.' Somedays this is a natural thing to do - I go with it, plan for it, submit to it with great ease. Then there are the other days when it is a battle. Certainly the mind is the hardest aspect of us to train...it certainly is for me.  

My continual struggle in the transformation experience is that I want the pace of the refining to go much faster. You see, I'm a results-oriented person and much of wanting to see results, whether it is about my fitness or any other personal goals, can be motivating for me and keep me feeling good about my efforts. But, it can also be scary. As I move closer to my fitness goals, I know there is work to do in other areas. Over the past few weeks, I've kept hearing this voice of reason in my head telling me the timing of what I'm experiencing is what it is - the pace is being carefully measured to my readiness for the changes. What?! Hey, I think I'm ready for anything, but what I'm learning is that perhaps I'm really not. I'm just experiencing a lot of feelings and thoughts that are exciting and invigorating, but also a bit disorienting - like a toddler who 'thinks' they can run, when they are really just ready to walk at a good clip. Changes in our bodies and in our hearts and minds require new balance - allowing us to run the race (or simply walk) at our fullest potential for today. I have a lot to learn about this 'new balance.' And, I'm not even close to the goal, so there are many adjustments that will be required along the way.

The past two days, my serratus muscles (along the side under your arms) have been screaming at me since my Tuesday workout. I didn't even know these muscles existed and didn't know the name until this morning as I looked them up and learned exactly what I did in my Tuesday workout that woke them up (push ups, btw - killer push ups - for me anyway). Ha - actually, I thought since I could barely bend my elbows for the push up that I wasn't really getting any benefit - LOL - now I know better! Serratus muscles - so nice to meet you!

I mention this because each time I am introduced to a sore muscle group, I am reminded of being under pressure. My body (and the rest of me) are submitting to a transformation that is life changing and life giving! It is a day to day thing and it takes time. Waiting is hard for most of us. I am learning that the changes I am making come in due time. The important lesson for me to accept is that the pace is allowing me to keep my balance along the way. I am reminded by my trainer that the pace of my muscle building and fat loss exchange are just right for me. And this reminds me that as the body changes and I face my feelings about those changes, that the pace of that, too, is just right - enabling to keep emotional and mental balance.

What I must realize and remember is that God's timing is perfect. As I continue to be refined, God is preparing me to accept the changes in myself and the amazing plan God has for me. It takes time to become reacquainted with oneself - a new and improved version. Sometimes we want things to come to us all at once, but if we will relax and just concentrate on what is before us today, we will adapt and accept the work of the Refiner and the pace that is perfectly set for us, so that we can run the race in the best form possible - fully restored, fully balanced, fully transformed!!  

I am thankful for God's provision and for God's amazing patience and love revealed to me in the body of Christ who affirm me along the way. It helps me to submit to being under pressure as I continue to be in training! I am blessed and I am changing each day - at God's pace - God's perfect pace - set just for me!!