[I]ron. My love affair with this amazing metal started back when I was in high school during summer workouts for basketball and softball. Back then I only viewed lifting barbells and dumb-bells as stress relief and a process I knew would make me feel, better. Little did I know how important iron would become in my adult life as I began a journey of personal growth and a relationship with Jesus.
It was then I found out what iron is really capable of doing and what it can mean in our lives if we let it.
Iron as defined by the dictionary in the back of my Bible is:
Iron. (N)-metal used in instruments of war, farming, and building; symbolic of strength for both security and destruction.
Now, if you’ve read my blog or followed me on Facebook for any length of time then you know my opinion on weightlifting and how important training is in general for your physical and spiritual health. I preach it often and for a plethora of reasons. Here’s a short soapbox as a reminder then I’ll get back to the definition. Stay with me!
First, God created us in his image as three part beings. Just like he has three parts (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) we are made up of a body, soul and spirit. We were meant to train from a place of wholeness, which means all three parts of us work in tandem so we can live fully as God intended. This is the ideal of course. When we lift weights or train at a high intensity we have an opportunity for spiritual growth because we will surely be faced with a mental challenge or an opportunity to practice having self- control and a sound mind. We get to see God’s word physically transform us by believing it and choosing to act accordingly. It’s like spiritual growth boot camp if you allow it to be. IF…..
Second, the spiritual significance of a thing will always outweigh the physical. I’ve watched woman after woman start training with me and six months later become a totally different person in every way. Their self-confidence increased, their prayer life was on fire and whatever ministry they were in was taken to the next level. Confidence will do that to a woman. Sure, there was lots of crying and vulnerability involved but sometimes physical stress and high intensity situations have a way of exposing some deep rooted fears, lies and false beliefs. And that’s a good thing. Partnering with Holy Spirit as you train is as it should be and he WILL remake you. Sometimes it’s painful but it’s all about the process.
Lastly, training is my weapon of choice against the enemy of our souls because what we do with our bodies is worship in the simplest sense. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:17) Whatever means whatever, even weightlifting. Every time a woman wins a mental battle in the gym the enemy shrieks. He hates to see women empowered and living confidently. We take revenge when we train as unto the Lord and invest in becoming the strongest versions of ourselves body, soul and spirit. What we do with our bodies is important to him-So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God (Romans 6:13)
But back to the definition.
Iron-symbolic of both security and destruction.
Wow. Isn’t that the best reason to weightlift when you think about it? The first thing that comes to my mind when I read this are the iron nails that pierced Jesus’ hands and feet and the iron spear that pierced side. His destruction and resurrection produced both security and destruction. Security of our salvation and right standing with God and the destruction of Satan and his hold on us.
We have a choice to remember that sacrifice and what he did for us every time we pick up a barbell. Game changer huh?
As you build strength physically there is an opportunity to let Holy Spirit build you spiritually. There are so many lessons to be learned every time you pick up a piece of iron to train with. Will you use it as security or destruction? What will you let it represent in your life?
My encouragement to you today is that you will let it do both. Destroy the lies, false beliefs and fears and let it remind you of the security you have in a life with the lover of your soul.
It’s not just iron. It’s not just weightlifting. It’s what it represents and what you let it be…and that is the best reason you will ever find.
Your Sister in Iron,
Lindsey Nadler
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