Exercise for Eternity

I've come to the realization that I learn best through analogies. Go ahead and tell me anything in a straightforward way, and I'll probably understand it, maybe even add some insight, but it won't really click for me until you compare it to something somewhat off-topic.

For example, one of the most basic things we learn at church is that we've come to earth to be tested. Why do we need to be tested? So that we can learn, grow, and become stronger. That kind of makes sense, right? We go through a trial, we learn from it, and we have a greater capacity, not only for the next trial, but to help others through their trials. I definitely get that. It's been pretty well drilled in my head since I was about three.

So my little sister and I have been doing these workout video things with one of the trainers from Biggest Loser. (I was trying to decide if that sentence gave too little transition and seemed like and off-the-wall subject change, or if it makes where I'm going with this just WAY too obvious. Either way, I apologize.) These workouts are twenty minutes long, and they are KILLER. There's also three workouts with varying levels of intensity. As embarrassing as this is to admit, I was sore for about five days after I started the lowest level. Seriously, it's insane.

During the whole workout Jillian Michaels is telling you what to do and why it works better than other things and just talking a lot. It's kind of nice, because when I can focus my brain on something then it makes me forget that my arms are falling off. One of the things she says is that, in order to see a change in our bodies, we need to put stress on it and force it to adapt. So there I am, doing these suicidal lunge things with weights, and, when I hear this, it finally comes to me. That's it! We have to go through trials and have stress put on us, because it forces us to adapt, forces us to build strength and metaphorical muscle. Even though I've known this most of my life, it finally really made sense.

Why do we work out? To lose weight, gain muscle, and become physically fit. Why do we endure trials instead of giving into the sorrow and temptations they present us with? To get rid of the things that are keeping us from achieving our potential, gain strength, and become spiritually fit.

Man, I feel like I'm going to be a spiritual body builder before long.

After this point, I was so excited by my epiphany(?) that it gave me new energy and the rest of the workout was a lot easier.

No, it wasn't.