A pair of seven-pound weights is part of my everyday exercise routine. I realize that’s not a very impressive-sounding load, but I definitely notice the difference between them and my very cute pink five-pounders. I also notice (with some alarm) the difference between my weights and the growing heft of the two granddaughters who most love to be picked up and carried around.
Paul writes about weight in the second letter he sent to Corinth, and he’s making a monumental comparison to help the believers there in developing their strength and endurance:
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
Like the Corinthian believers, we, too, are in training. Paul insists that our “troubles” are developing our muscles in anticipation of the great load of glory that’s coming, a weight out of all proportion to whatever pain we suffer.
I struggle to comprehend the nature of this weighty glory, but one thing I do understand:
The difficulty is temporary. The benefit is eternal!
Paul insists that our “troubles” are developing our muscles in anticipation of the great load of glory that’s coming, a weight out of all proportion to whatever pain we suffer.
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Training for Endurance
My daily exercises are far from impressive—especially if I compare them to the routine of any athlete. However, they are designed to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease in ways that are both strengthening and neuroprotective. And so I show up for them every morning with my eyes on the unseen goal of independence, vitality, and continued productivity.
Paul had similar advice for his spiritual children. He wanted their souls to grow in vitality so they would receive the eternal benefit, the “weight of glory.
So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Endurance requires fixing our eyes on the goal, even when it is still unseen. Long-suffering is sometimes the only means by which the greater glory of God will be served, and this is, for the moment, invisible.
This call to develop our spiritual muscles, to take a long view, and to think lightly of “the sufferings of this present time” shows up in Paul’s letter to the Romans as well in which he boldly declares that our troubles “are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us.”
Paul firmly believes in the connection between suffering and glory, but not merely as a reward for enduring. Our troubles “are achieving for us,”1 “working for us,” 2“preparing for us”3 an unimaginable and weighty glory that somehow grows from the suffering.
For the believer, suffering and glory are inextricably linked.
I think about this truth as I stretch and strengthen.
I’m in training for balance and endurance. Still, the real goal is to develop a whole new value system that cherishes the unseen blessings of eternity more than the temporary comfort of an easy life.
Do you, too, sense that you are in training?
What aspects of God’s training regimen are the most challenging for you?
Endurance requires fixing our eyes on the goal, even when it is still unseen. Long-suffering is sometimes the only means by which the greater glory of God will be served, and this is, for the moment, invisible.
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Holding You in the Light,
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I so resonate with what you have shared and written here on both the spiritual dimension and the physical realities of exercise to deal with Parkinson’s. It requires much discipline and diligence on a daily basis in both cases. God bless you on this journey, my friend, knowing it is He who sustains us and journeys alongside us.
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You certainly know where I’m coming from in this post, Pam, and I value your companionship on this road that neither of us would have chosen—but we walk it by faith.
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I’m always impressed by your determination, commitment and fortitude. ❤️
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That means a lot to me, my encouraging friend.
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I am seeing a theme here. I believe we are all in training. We are all imperfect. We are all (hopefully) striving.
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Don’t you love it when it seems as if everyone is singing in harmony?
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I used 5 lb weights a long time ago. Now I get my training in my doing ranch chores. Carrying 2.5 gallon jugs of water to the animals, moving rocks (they don’t call it the Rocky Mountains for nothing!) shoveling snow, etc etc! My husband jokes we should sell workout memberships to folks!
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You really could! And people would LOVE every minute of their workout!
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I actually think 7 pounds is impressive (and maybe I need to try that!) I have 5 and 10 lb weights and while I often feel the 5 is too light the 10 is too much. Good for you for keeping your health front and center.
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Ten did seem too heavy to me as well. Better to be cautious and avoid injury, right?
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Great analogies, friend. And we all cheer each other on as we focus on the spiritual as well as the physical realities were facing.
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It shouldn’t surprise me, but I’m always a bit blindsided by the connection between physical health and spiritual vitality. God wasn’t kidding around when he plopped our souls into these jars of clay.
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I’ve sometimes pondered that coming weight of glory–wondering what it is, exactly. I don’t know, but God’s Word assures us it will be worth whatever we have to go through here.
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Me, too! It’s bound to be satisfying and rewarding, but there’s a lot of mystery around it that adds to the challenge of fixing our eyes on it!
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Your self-discipline is inspiring. Muscle = healthy bones – and I need to get back into my regimen. I want my body and mind to keep apace each other! Since the 70s/80s, I feel like the cultural message has been to do everything at 150 percent at 100 mph – when really, it’s the self-discipline with just-right exercise. It’s amazing what a 20 minute routine can do and a brisk walk. I’m glad God doesn’t have me on a 150% at 100 mph routine. He’s working with me on slowing down, savoring time with Him, preparing the day before in prayer for the coming day (Yes – I realize we are not promised tomorrow – but waiting until each morning leaves me feeling behind). I am trying to building a practice of wrapping up the day and asking God to position me for the morning so I am not frayed in the first hours of the day.
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What an important reminder that we don’t have to be marathon athletes to be taking care of our bodies as the gift that they are. That sounds like such a healthful end-of-day practice!
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I need to up my game! For the exercises that require weights I use four pounds. I’m impressed that you’re hefting seven-pounders, Michele! (Parkinson’s doesn’t have a chance with you!) As for the weight of glory to come–I’m wondering if we’ll feel like those athletes who have won Olympic gold. The weight of that medal around their necks makes the sacrifice of time, effort, and suffering worth it all. Lord, help me to keep MY eyes on the prize–the weight of glory to come–as Paul encouraged!
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What will it be like when we cross THAT finish line??😍
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My first time visiting…what a lovely and encouraging space you’ve made here. I’m a wife of 41 years, a mom and a Nana (best role ever) so in a similar stage of life as you. Your words resonated with me today as I’ve been in a soft cast all summer nursing an ankle fracture. I think the more we know God the easier it is to look for (and find Him) in all of life’s circumstances and to learn and grow from whatever challenge, small or large, we are facing. It sounds like you are doing what you can to take care of your health and I’m gonna say 7 lbs is not light : ) Wishing you a wonderful day!
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How lovely to meet a new friend first thing on a Tuesday morning! Hope the ankle healing happens in a hurry. It’s so hard to wait for things like that, and the older we get, the more adept we need to become at finding God’s purposefulness behind all the hard things that come into our lives.
So happy to connect with you!
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