Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

There’s a dear friend in my life—retired special forces—who has taught me so much through quiet observations. The other day, he sent me a message from the gym, and as I read it, something in me stirred. His words weren’t just about barbells and sweat. They were a reflection of the spiritual life, whispered through repetition and reminded by muscle memory.

He said, “There’s no cheating the workout.”

When I read that, I felt the Lord speak to me. Because he’s right—there are no shortcuts in the gym, and there are no shortcuts in the Kingdom.

The Illusion of the Bare Minimum

The longer we walk with God, the easier it becomes to rely on spiritual “experience.” We know the verses. We know the songs. We know what to say, how to pray, and which Scriptures to quote in times of trouble.

And if we’re honest, sometimes we treat that knowledge like stored strength—like it will carry us even when we stop training.

But truthfully?
Just as physical muscles weaken without use, spiritual muscles atrophy without discipline.

Jesus warns the church in Ephesus of this very thing. They had experience, knowledge, and endurance, but something essential had slipped away: “You have forsaken your first love” (Revelation 2:4). They were doing the work, but not with the heart that once drove them.

My friend described something similar:
“Sometimes you have to go back to the beginning… because you’ve taken for granted the habits that once shaped you.”

The bare minimum won’t get us back into shape—physically or spiritually.

Experience doesn’t replace effort.
Memory doesn’t replace movement.
Desire doesn’t replace discipline.

Start Again Like a Child

One of the most powerful parts of his message was this line:
“You have to begin like a child, slowly building up to where you were.”

There’s something humbling—beautiful even—about starting over. Jesus actually called it necessary: “Unless you become like little children…” (Matthew 18:3).

Children are curious.
Children are teachable.
Children are eager.
Children don’t assume they already know everything—they just jump in and start.

Maybe that’s precisely what we need in our spiritual life.

Not more knowledge.
Not a new podcast or a new study plan.
But a childlike return—simple obedience to the basics.

Return to What First Set Your Heart on Fire

My friend continued:
“Get the reading in, get the praying in, get the fasting in. Doing the things we first did when chasing after the Lord.”

When were you spiritually strongest?
When did you feel closest to God?
What were you doing then that perhaps you’ve stopped doing now?

In the gym, if you stop showing up, you don’t get to instantly return to your old numbers. You rebuild rep by rep. Inch by inch. Day by day.

In the spirit, it’s the same.

Get the reading in.
Get the praying in.
Get the worship in.
Get the listening in.
Get the fasting in.

Not because God demands performance.
But because these are the movements that strengthen a weary soul, stretch a stiff heart, and reawaken spiritual senses that have grown dull.

Paul reminded Timothy: “Train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).
Train.
Not try.
Not wish.
Not hope.
Train.

Training requires repetition, intentionality, and the willingness to sweat.

The Fear of Not Being Able to “Get Back”

My friend wrote something incredibly honest:
“Now the years have gone by. Your energy feels zapped… You fear you can’t get back to where you were.”

Isn’t that exactly how it feels sometimes?

We fear we’ve slipped too far.
We fear we’ve lost too much time.
We fear that God is disappointed.
We fear that our best spiritual days are behind us.

But those are lies fear tells you—whispers meant to keep you from trying again.

Because then he wrote:
“You have to cast those fears aside and know that if you begin and slowly day by day continue, you’ll get where you were and even more.”

Spiritually speaking, that’s the heart of grace.
God never asks you to return perfect—He simply asks you to return.

God Walks With You—Not Behind You With a Scorecard

Perhaps the most beautiful line in his message was this:
“Thank God He loves us where we’re at… He walks with us… He welcomes us back like a long-lost friend.”

That right there is the gospel.

Not a God who shames you for being out of shape.
Not a God who compares you to who you used to be.
Not a God who demands instant perfection.

But a Father who runs to you like He ran to the prodigal.
A Shepherd who lifts you when you faint.
A Savior who strengthens you when you fail.
A Counselor who encourages you when discouragement whispers defeat.

He walks with you.
Not behind, keeping score.
Not ahead, out of reach.
But with you—step by step.

A Word of Encouragement to Everyone Reading This

And let me encourage you with something another brother in Christ told me:

Sometimes the hardest part of change—spiritual or otherwise—is simply showing up. We can be apprehensive because we know the work ahead. But procrastination never leads to activation. Growth begins with presence. Consistency opens the door to transformation.

If you just consistently show up before the Lord and apply yourself—even in small ways—you will grow.
Change happens slowly, then suddenly.

When God lays something on your heart that may strengthen someone else—share it.
Your words might be the very thing someone needed to keep going.
Your obedience may be the spark that reignites someone’s faith.
Your story may be the encouragement someone has been praying for.

Just like my friend’s message encouraged me, your insight, your experience, your struggle, and your journey might be the lifeline someone else is reaching for.

There Is No Cheating the Workout—In the Gym or With the Lord

You cannot microwave spiritual maturity.
You cannot rush obedience.
You cannot shortcut surrender.
You cannot fast-track depth.

The path is the path.
The reps are the reps.
The disciplines are the disciplines.

But here’s the hope:
Every time you show up—He shows up too.

Every prayer builds strength.
Every verse feeds endurance.
Every moment in His presence restores breath.
Every day you choose to begin again, the Spirit trains you from the inside out.

This journey isn’t about perfection.
It’s about progression.
It’s about presence—His and yours.

And maybe, just maybe, this time…
We won’t stop.
We won’t drift.
We won’t settle for minimum-effort spirituality.

This time, we stay on track because we know the value of what we’re training for.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for inviting me back into Your presence again and again. Give me the strength to show up, the courage to begin, and the discipline to grow. Restore my hunger for Your Word, my desire for prayer, and my devotion to the basics that build spiritual strength. Cast out fear, discouragement, and shame, and replace them with hope, endurance, and joy. Walk with me daily, train my spirit, and help me encourage others along the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.