I was fighting to finish something simple.  I had completed my treadmill time and was doing some light free weight lifting (VERY light – 2 pounders).  My current regimen includes 30 lifts per rep for three reps.  Curls, supine pullovers, crunches and a variety of other things for which I don’t know the names strengthen (I hope!) my shoulders, biceps, triceps, abs, etc.  As I worked through a series, I found myself trying to decide whether I would finish the full 30 lifts on the final rep, or stop earlier.  I shook my head.  I needed complete it!  I wasn’t hurting nor was I particularly tired.  What was going on?  I normally breeze (well, that might be too strong a word at this point) through these.

Then I realized that I was dreading what was coming next.  I normally finish my workouts with an isometric exercise called “superman.”  I lay on the floor on my belly (stomach is too strong a word right now, too) and lift my arms and legs off the floor, extending them as far as I can.  I hold that for 30 seconds, rest for 30 more, and then repeat three more times.  The name is an apt description of the exercise, if you don’t count being on the floor (I’m definitely NOT flying).  At this point in my fitness, it is also grueling!

As I continued through my light lifts, I fought the temptation to quit early.  And then something occurred to me.  It was the passage my wife’s church is using as their monthly memory verse this month.  It’s one many of us have heard at one time or another.  Jesus says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt. 6:34)  It is part of a longer passage about worry (read it here), and it’s wonderful advice no matter how you apply it.

I realized that I was having a hard time doing something simple right now because I was dreading something more difficult I knew was coming.  So, I decided to fight the temptation.  I mentally substituted “what’s coming” for “tomorrow” and “moment” for “day.”  I don’t believe the result is stretching the meaning of the passage – “Don’t worry about what’s coming, for what’s coming will worry about itself.  Each moment has enough trouble of its own.”  I forced myself to focus on my current exercise and left the harder stuff that came later for then.

Now, I found myself genuinely breezing through the rest of my workout.  The superman exercise turned out to be not so bad when I focused on my current rep, rather than trying to carry the weight of the next one at the same time.  It was a small moment of triumph in my exercise regimen, but it also taught me a very valuable lesson.

There are a whole lot of things going on in our world that cause me to worry, if I let them.  Jesus tells me to let them go.  Most of the time, they’re something over which none of us have much control, and they may never come to pass.  Even if they do, we Christians are supposed to be about God’s kingdom, not the kingdoms of this broken world.

I also realize that there are times in our lives when we can only take it a moment at a time.  Troubles or grief attack us within and without.  If we take each moment as it comes, the burden may just be bearable, no matter how heavy it seems.  If we try to That’s especially true with the Lord’s help.

I realize that my little personal experience of focusing on my current work (while letting what’s coming go until then) is helping me in my general walk with Jesus.  People need Jesus and his kingdom now more than ever, and as I use my exercise lesson to strengthen more than my muscles, I am getting my spirit stronger in “keeping the main thing the main thing” and seeking FIRST God’s kingdom!

Who knew exercise could be so helpful?  😊