Lifting Weights: How is being weak a good thing?

Lifting Weights: How is being weak a good thing?

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

—2 Corinthians 12:10

Side lateral raises. Even hearing those three words brings pain, let alone actually doing them. Last February I started a regular exercise program that involves toning with hand weights three times a week. I started with 2-pound weights, then moved up to 3-pound weights, and was certainly ready for 4-pound weights months ago. But I had added the hand weights to my Christmas list, so rather than buy them myself I waited to see if I would get them. Sure enough, my daughter and family left them beneath the tree. But instead of 4-pound weights, I got 5-pounders. I tried them out the other day and noticed a big difference from the ones I was used to. I struggled to raise them, especially for the side lateral exercises, which have given me trouble from the get-go. Although not confirmed by a physician, I think I have a slight tear in my left deltoid, the triangular shaped muscle that covers the outer shoulder and uppermost part of the arm. Even though the muscle complains, I press through to lift the weights, knowing “no pain equals no gain.” In order to get stronger and build muscle mass, I must push myself, although sometimes I’d rather call for someone to help me lift the weight. But of course, I know that would defeat the purpose.

Physically, I feel like such a weakling. But did you know that in some sense being weak is actually a good thing? When we are weakened by troubles and temptations and cry out to the Lord, He will give us the strength to stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Apostle Paul said, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

God’s grace is made manifest in our weakness. Therefore, when we are weak in ourselves, we are made strong through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we are weighed down with an accumulation of trials and call unto Him for help, He does not allow us to sink under the weight of it all. Instead, He comes alongside us and upholds us with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). He helps to shoulder the load. Through it all, our faith is strengthened and we are changed.

And isn’t it interesting that the word for our triangular shoulder muscle, deltoid, has its origin from the word delta, the triangular (fourth) letter of the Greek alphabet, which happens to mean change?

Physical exercise changes my physique, but exercising my faith—in the triune God—changes me.

Dear Jesus, I can’t handle the heavy weights of life all by myself. I need your help. Therefore, I am casting my cares your way and trusting You to sustain me (Psalm 55:22). Thank You for strengthening me (Philippians 4:13) and upholding me (Isaiah 41:10) with Your all-sufficient grace. Amen.