Saturday, January 25, 2014

Jim taught me how to lift weights

He taught me the correct form to use, he taught me how to warm up, increase the weights safely, and how to outperform my yesterday's self.  He laughed with me at my mistakes, challenged me to overcome my natural inclination to do the minimums, shamed me when I spoke words of failure, and cheered for my successes.

Now RLB paid Jim a good amount for training me. A well deserved payment to be sure. There were no promises made, however the results of the training are obvious. I am stronger than I was.

In addition to increased muscle mass and the ability to lift heavier things than I previously could, I have experienced internal benefits as well: a pleasant attitude, happiness, a spirit of overcoming, a positive self image, a peaceful disposition, a calm mind.  I pray a lot. I find great comfort in talking to God so I do it often. Quite often I would pray before I'd lift and always during challenging workouts. I was listening to Jim about technique and procedure. I was being instructed and encouraged by him but when it came down to it, I was going to the source of my inner strength, God, for the rest. I'd thank Jim for his help and I'd thank God for His help.

RLB and I have a lot of respect for Jim. He's a dedicated trainer who can be trusted to do what RLB paid him to do. He's an honest man. He told me the truth. He saw when I was being a quitter, he knew when I wasn't giving my best, he told me the truth of why I wasn't accomplishing my goals faster and what I'd need to change to achieve my goals.

Jim was introduced to us by a Christian. Jim is an atheist.

How is it that an atheist could teach me things that are true? It's a stupid question. Isn't it?

Now it is possible to experience all of the positive internal benefits I experienced by reading God's Word and praying to Him. This fascinating body that He created contains hormones that are the physical component to emotional expression. God created them, they are good. He created them in such a way that they are influenced not only by reading the Bible and prayer but also by external stimuli like lifting weights. Good nor bad, it just is. It is true. God sees the hearts of His people and the truth of their motivation is between Him and the Christian.
When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Matthew 15:10-11
Keep this in mind as you hear Christians deriding other Christians (whose hearts are known by God) for their use of techniques they have learned to positively benefit their interpersonal relationships.

Update - Dalrock wrote this over a year prior to when I began reading his posts. It is excellent and quite relevant to the point I'm making here: She felt unloved

6 comments:

  1. I treat lifting as a form of prayer. I am a creation of God, in His image, and by strengthening and bettering myself, I honor Him and prepare to better do His will. When I am in need of energy or will, I call on Him. It is a simple act, but it helps me and reminds me of His strength and mercy.

    The Shadowed Knight

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for posting this, SarahsDaughter, and for the link the the Dalrock article that I somehow hadn't seen yet.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't understand why you would let an atheist train you when the Word of God clearly tell us in Psalms 1:1
    Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

    I myself would find it very hard to have an atheist be my trainer! My spirit would be very grieved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So you require everyone you do business with to be a Christian. Some kind of light you are. And so full of courage that you commented under anonymous...

      Delete
  4. Wow!! You are not a very good light of God's Love to the world; you are so cruel and rude! And yes I do try very hard to only deal with Christians the Bible tells me in Proverbs 13:22
    A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

    It is the part that tells us that the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. It is that part I take very seriously. It does not say that the wealth of the just is laid up for the sinner. That is all I am saying!

    I guess I am just very picky as to who I take instruction from and yes an atheist in not someone I would willing go to for any kind of counseling! I don't use my name because I am protecting my family just like you said you do. I don't trust the internet that much!
    You don't give your names either only RLB and your name here is SD; so my question is how is that different to me calling myself Anonymous? As I made mention before I will not use my name on Blogs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Australia IP address 106.68.134.71,

      It's clear you are a woman. And you're dishonest. You will not comment again until you 1.Come up with a recognizable moniker and 2. Show proof the the majority of who you do business with is Christian. This includes any advice you have received from doctors, lawyers, teachers, books you've read, subjects you've studied, etc. The individual responsible for inventing/discovering the majority of what you have learned/used/taken advantage of. Or you retract what you have said and apologize (and repent) for your self righteousness and the haughty spirit you possess that has brought you to commenting on my blog in the manner you have.

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.