In the crisp fall air of early October, my husband embarked on a challenging journey of knee replacement surgery. Two days after the surgery, the physical therapy arrived to help my husband’s recovery. With each new exercise, my husband grimaced in pain, his brows furrowing in concentration. Despite the initial struggles, my husband persevered, his determination fueling his progress.
Gradually, he felt a difference – a newfound strength in his leg muscles, a decrease in the sharp pain that had plagued him, and a growing sense of achievement. The physical therapy sessions became a pivotal part of his recovery, as the therapists reminded him that motion is lotion for his impacted muscles. I am a firm believer that the unwavering support and guidance of the physical therapy team made my husband’s arduous journey to recovery a little easier.
“Then he asked them, ‘Where is your faith?’ The disciples were terrified and amazed. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked each other. ‘When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!’” Luke 8:25 (NLT).
Motion is Lotion Therapy
His journey to recovery inspires me. It makes me think about how physical therapy can enhance different aspects of my life. With age, I understand that staying active is crucial. The motto “motion is lotion” motivates me to keep my muscles strong. This reduces the risk of future injuries. It helps me maintain balance and mobility as I get older. Making a deliberate choice to move more will have long-term benefits.
Strengthening Our Faith
As I pondered the idea of strengthening my physical muscles, my focus shifted to my faith muscles. I couldn’t help but wonder if I needed to increase my activity level to keep them prepared for the challenges that life throws our way. The thought of strengthening my faith through exercising it brought me a sense of peace and tranquility.
The importance of a strong faith muscle became clear to me. It’s what we rely on during times of stress and loss, providing us with solace and guidance. But a weak faith muscle, I realized, could lead us down a darker path – one of panic, depression, and a loss of trust in God.
In that moment, I knew that investing time and effort into exercising my faith muscles would pay off in the long run. Just like physical therapy, it would strengthen and prepare me for the challenges that lie ahead, allowing me to navigate through life with a steadfast trust in God.
Importance of Faith Therapy
Faith is like a muscle. If it’s not used, it weakens. So, we must exercise it every day. My husband required a physical therapist to assist him in his recovery. In our faith journey, God guides us at every step. Just as “motion is lotion” for our bodies, we can apply the proverb “God is able” to help us strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Therapy Exercises for Faith
Here are some ways to strengthen your faith muscles:
– Practice faith in small things. Trust God with the small things in your life. This will help you trust Him with the big things.
– Keep a faith journal. Write about the times when you see God’s faithfulness, no matter how small it seems.
– Pray daily. Communicate with God, sharing your needs and desires.
– Study the Bible. Read it daily and use resources to deepen your understanding.
– Fellowship with others. Share your faith journey and encourage each other.
– Do things that require faith. Identify areas where you need to exercise your faith more and take actions that require faith to strengthen those muscles.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I need your help to cultivate a stronger relationship with you. My spirit craves nourishment, and I believe spending time with you is the perfect way to achieve that. When I feel weak, I cling to the comforting truth that God is all-powerful, and this belief fuels my spirit to keep going. Please be my compass, showing me the way through the wilderness to the destination that is you. Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings you bestow upon me, from the smallest joys to the greatest of wonders. With faith in Jesus, I offer this prayer. Amen.
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Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Yvonne, I like your therapy exaercise for fsirh. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Barbara and God bless
My background is in health and wellness. Love the way you connect the importance of PT and physical activity to strengthening our faith. If we don’t use it, we lose it! Works for our bodies as well as our spiritual growth and wellness. Thank you, Yvonne.
Thank you Katherine. As I age, I really understand how important it is to keep my body moving. And I want to keep my faith active (and young). God bless.
I’ve had a few rounds of physical therapy myself and wholeheartedly agree that exercise strengthens us and helps us to live with more flexibility and less pain. What a motivation to keep my faithful to my spiritual PT. Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank you Terri. We all need to keep our faith physically fit especially during this time in the world. God bless.
Amen. Stay focused on God. Share time with Him. Pray. 🙂
The best way to stay fit. Thanks Melissa and God bless.
Physical therapy IS such a powerful metaphor for the spiritual disciplines and the plain old showing up and doing the work that is so important in our following life.
Thank you Michele. It takes training and effort to live the right kind of life. God bless.
Yvonne, as I read your post I was reminded of a verse in Daniel. “…but the people who know their God will display strength and take action” (11:32). The Christian life in never passive. Great analogy.
That’s a great verse for this kind of message. Thanks Debbie and God bless
Yvonne, this was an excellent application in both the physical and the spiritual realms. Lord, help us keep walking with you, one step at a time!
Amen Melissa and thanks. We need to keep up our strength for the future battles. God bless.
Yes! There is work we can and should do in our faith life. It doesn’t just happen on its own. Excellent piece!
Thank you Jessica. God bless.
I like the connection you make with our physical muscles and faith muscles. Excellent therapy exercises!
Thanks so much Candyce. God bless.
Yvonne, this is such an excellent analogy. I’ve never heard that phrase for PT, “motion is lotion.” Exercising our faith muscles will see us through during hardships and painful trials. God bless!
I loved that phrase now because it is so true for our bodies. And we need the same kind of motion for our faith. Thanks Karen and God bless.