My first language is English, but I'm fluent in several sports - soccer, baseball, softball, track & field, and hockey. People may say that math is the international language, but I'd say that sport is in the running for that title.
As an athletic trainer, I see the big picture. I see gifts that people have been blessed with, areas that need improvement, and when people are broken and need to be fixed before getting back out on their respected field, I help them through that process. I am able to break down the big picture into smaller pictures, and then even into smaller steps to complete each picture. I understand that there must be some breaking down and rebuilding, which requires some pain, in order for healing and improvement to take place. Going through the motions without feeling challenged is usually a sign that it's time to move up to the next level. No pain, no gain.
In my relationship with Christ, this is both a blessing and a hindrance. A hindrance because I get frustrated since I don't see God's big picture. He doesn't let me see the rehab flow-chart that He has prepared for me. I want to see the exercise that I'm on, what I have done to get there (which, He does allow me to see from time to time), what exercises are next, and what injury that I'm working on. Is this a pride issue? A trust issue? Correcting an incorrect teaching or habit? What exactly is the end-goal here? But it is blessing in that I know when tough, painful situations come at me, God is not punishing me. Rather, He is moving me up to the next level of rehab exercises. And at first, when He tells me to do three sets of eight repetitions, I may very well fall on my face and fail miserably. But I have to try again, because if I stay at the level that is comfortable, there won't be improvement. In fact, I may very well regress. There is a verse from Hebrews that I try and remember when I fall -
As an athletic trainer, I see the big picture. I see gifts that people have been blessed with, areas that need improvement, and when people are broken and need to be fixed before getting back out on their respected field, I help them through that process. I am able to break down the big picture into smaller pictures, and then even into smaller steps to complete each picture. I understand that there must be some breaking down and rebuilding, which requires some pain, in order for healing and improvement to take place. Going through the motions without feeling challenged is usually a sign that it's time to move up to the next level. No pain, no gain.
In my relationship with Christ, this is both a blessing and a hindrance. A hindrance because I get frustrated since I don't see God's big picture. He doesn't let me see the rehab flow-chart that He has prepared for me. I want to see the exercise that I'm on, what I have done to get there (which, He does allow me to see from time to time), what exercises are next, and what injury that I'm working on. Is this a pride issue? A trust issue? Correcting an incorrect teaching or habit? What exactly is the end-goal here? But it is blessing in that I know when tough, painful situations come at me, God is not punishing me. Rather, He is moving me up to the next level of rehab exercises. And at first, when He tells me to do three sets of eight repetitions, I may very well fall on my face and fail miserably. But I have to try again, because if I stay at the level that is comfortable, there won't be improvement. In fact, I may very well regress. There is a verse from Hebrews that I try and remember when I fall -
When you're sucking wind after a hard workout, the worst thing you can do is sit down or stumble through a cool-down with your hands on your knees. You need you core and legs back to help keep you steady and standing tall. If you're having trouble, sometimes you need a friend to lean on for a second. But you can't lean on them forever. I have found the same to be true in my own life, both physically and spiritually. God has placed a lot of awesome people in my life who will come along side me and support me while I recover, but no one will stand me up or walk me in a straight line. And praise God for that - that He is my coach, my athletic trainer, and my God.[12] Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, [13] and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:12-13 ESV)
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