There are millions of distractions in front of us. Overwhelming amounts of information to process right at our fingertips. We’re struggling with comparison like never before. It is well known that there is a mental health crisis plaguing our generation. So, what can we do about it? We take the prescriptions, we do the meditations, we try to fix everything ourselves and yet the anxiety never seems to leave us. When difficult information reaches us we spiral, when something doesn’t go the way we planned for we struggle. But, hear this truth: that is not the way we have to live. We must shift our mindset to fight against our anxiety.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
How do we heal our anxiety when nothing else works?
In a world with such boundless information, we often forget a firm foundation that speaks timeless truths. 2 Timothy 1:7 explains the fact that God gives us the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline –not anxiety! This is a fact that is hard to grasp. For our founder, Olivia Roemer, it felt like the “peace that surpasses all understanding” was constantly out of grasp. The “Joy of the Lord” everyone talks about simply must not have been for her. If you have ever had similar thoughts please know, these statements are not true! Going to the gym, and approaching it with a 2 Timothy 1:7 mentality transformed Olivia’s life when she was going through a difficult time. Heartbreak brought her to her lowest point, and it pointed her back to the Lord. Below we will dive into what SERENE STRENGTH is and how 2 Timothy shaped it for us.
Spirit of Power
Power does not seem very tangible in the spiritual realm. It seems abstract in that lens. It is often associated with politicians, presidents, and those in authority. For Christians, authority can pass through us in all aspects of our life including the gym. Anxiety often comes from a place of control. Those who suffer from anxiety know how they want the world to look ( and even if you don’t know what you want- you know you should know), but something keeps them from it. We have a mindset that extracts us from power. There is this tension between where we want to be and where we are. When we lack control in situations we foster this spirit of anxiety in our lives. When you realize that the spirit of power enables you to be strong enough to survive what you are unprepared for- your mentality can shift.
Weight Lifting is a way to force your mind into this way of thinking. When you embody your physical power you are making connections in your brain that you have true power. Pushing yourself to do hard things gives you the power and confidence to continue through life despite anxiety. And as you push past the discomfort that your anxiety produces, you no longer give power to the fear and worry. The Lord has given you the spirit of Power to overcome your anxiety, thoughts, self-perception, and anything else keeping you from glorifying him by living in freedom from anxiety.
This is incredibly easy to talk about! But, what are practical ways to embody a spirit of power in your life? Action > Anxiety
- Repeat a mantra of power yourself whenever you fear the spirit of anxiety ( For Olivia, she repeats Psalm 23 “The Lord Is My Shepherd” multiple times a day or listens to a prayer )
- Move your body! Go on a walk, do a couple push ups or squats, take an hour to hit weights.
- LIFT WEIGHTS! Other forms of exercise are amazing, but there is something especially empowering about being able to lift something heavy. If you don’t know where to start, click here to submit a request for a personalized workout plan from us.
Spirit of Love
This gift of love can also allow us to approach the gym in a way to work against anxiety. Instead of going to the gym because of hatred towards ourselves, or disgust, we can take care of ourselves by going to the gym. Declaring exercise as another aspect of personal hygiene, not something you do to look a certain way, is a way to show ourselves love. This can often be a struggle for Christians. We are called to deny our flesh and to follow Jesus, self love has often been used as an excuse to be selfish. However, I’d argue that showing yourself love is in our calling to be good stewards of what the Lord has given us. Refusing to exercise, eat well, and participate in healthy activities is showing disrespect to the sacrifice the Lord made for us on the cross.
Look at yourself the way Jesus looks at you. Commit yourself to becoming healthy because the Lord made you in his image. Refute the voice in your head that tells you to go to the gym because you are somehow wrong. Shift your mindset to a spirit of Love. This is the only way you can go to the gym in a way that does not add to your anxiety. If your purpose for working out is to solely change the way you look, your results will never be good enough. Acknowledge that the spirit of Love can hold you in an embrace of kindness in the gym. For moments of encouraging love throughout the week, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Spirit of Self-Discipline
The ultimate struggle! Discipline. It’s almost an anxiety inducing word in itself. It’s daunting. It affects our self worth upon ignoring it. It feels impossible to build up to it. It is something that other people seem to magically grasp. 6 am morning routines, meal prep for days, protein goals, all the stuff we should be doing plagues us daily. Social media also promotes the picturesque aspect of discipline. It’s attractive to have it all together.
In reality, that spirit of self discipline is not something we need to do alone. The 2 Timothy mindset reminds us that we are not strong enough to do anything on our own. So why should we feel guilt and shame when we aren’t disciplined by ourselves. Accepting that walking with the Lord means he gives us the self-discipline to do things that are hard can help heal our anxiety. Even when you are going to lift by yourself in the morning, you aren’t truly alone. The holy spirit has given you what you need to be your best version of yourself.
SERENE STRENGTH is truly attainable when you adopt this mindset! Check out our story about how this mindset changed our Founder’s life.
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2 Comments
Josephine Rigney · October 8, 2024 at 2:20 pm
I love the reading , It is so uplifting and encouraging.
JCR · October 8, 2024 at 6:42 pm
Such great advice, profound truths broken down into easy-to-do action steps = a better mindset, and less anxiety!
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