I was pleasantly surprised that I after a few lighter days, I was able to quickly get back into the rhythm of more challenging workouts and not having to endure the soreness that came with them. My body was familiar with the steps. It knew how to recover from the stress. It was really encouraging for me.

Do you know why this was possible? Because I had built a strong foundation. Over the last four to five years, I worked out almost daily. The goal was not just to lose weight, it was also to strengthen my muscles. I needed to be strong so that when I carried my little one around or lifted her into the car or out of her bed, etc. my body would be able to handle the extra stress.

I’m so glad that I did this. It was sweaty hard work, early morning wake ups, but I really came to enjoy it. And over time, even though I didn’t look like the ladies on the workout videos, my body became stronger. I didn’t have to go see the chiropractor as much because I was able to strengthen the muscles around the areas that would feel the most stress when lifting my little one.

As you work out, the instructor’s job is to keep you motivated to not give up. I love hearing the different things that they say. Some make me laugh. Some make me stop and think.

One time the instructor said, “You’re going to hate me for this, but you’ll thank me later.” Then she went on to explain the hard exercise we would do. I can’t remember what it was, but I’m sure burpees were involved. I remember thinking to myself how often do we feel that way about God?

Do we hate Him while we are struggling through our trials? Those struggles made me who I am today. This blog wouldn’t exist without those struggles. My faith wouldn’t be where it is today. Without those struggles, I wouldn’t have such a strong foundation of muscles in my faith.

Do we thank Him for those trials later? I know I certainly fall short in that area. I love to thank Him for my blessings. It doesn’t even cross my mind to thank Him for my trials. That seems crazy, right?

Before I started fostering, I remember having the thought to thank Him for an opportunity to serve. I don’t think that thought came from me. I listened though and thanked Him. Immediately after, thoughts came into my mind that showed me how my service would help others. I felt so loved in the moment. I have no doubt that it came from a loving Heavenly Father.

You might not be ready to thank Him for trials. That is okay. Instead try to start thanking Him for opportunities to serve and see where that takes you. It’s just one more way to become closer to Him. To see His hand in your daily life. It is beautiful. I’m so glad that I did it. I got to experience that immediate connection to Him.

Another time I was working out the instructor said, “get that stretch from your calf into your hammies (hamstrings),” When he said hammies, I thought he said enemies. I immediately thought about how the pain of my body can feel like an enemy at times. Right after having that thought, I realized that when I work out, my body hurts less. The way to keep my enemy at bay was to strengthen my muscles.

The same is true for our faith. Building our muscles of faith in Jesus Christ and in our loving Heavenly Father, keeps our enemies at bay as well. We will still have trials, but they will not seem as debilitating when we have a strong foundation of faith.

As we closely follow the instructions of the personal trainer, Jesus Christ, and do all of the steps He shows us over time, the strength comes. It stays in us even when we take breaks. When we come back to our exercise routine, or faith building routines, we will be surprised at how familiar it is and our muscles of faith will pick up again right where we left off. Then we can continue to strengthen our muscles of faith.

Some days I get frustrated that I have to work out. I don’t have time, or I’m just plain tired. It’s okay, I get to choose. Free agency gives me that choice. I will say, when I don’t choose to workout, my day doesn’t go as easy. I am more frustrated or tired.

I have also realized that as I consistently exercise and build those muscles, I become more able to increase the difficulty of the workouts. I have gone from beginner, to intermediate to advanced. I was in the intermediate level for so long, I didn’t even realize that I was ready for the advanced level until a friend showed me. It felt amazing to know that I could level up to the advanced level.

All we have to do is follow the plan. As we follow it, we will go from beginner, to intermediate, to advanced. It’ll be amazing. It’ll be worth it. We will become so strong in our faith, that we can help to spot others when their weight is too heavy. We will have the chance to encourage and uplift others as they go through their challenges in life. We will strengthen each other.