Get ready
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27
Our lives here on earth are a series of trials, tests, and struggles. Our goal is to overcome, but in order to do this it takes practice. A good example of this is athletics. An athlete that competes must first prepare for the competition. He must discipline himself to eat the right diet and to do the daily training required to even have a chance at the prize. He cannot skip even one day of his training. Most days, he probably doesn’t feel like training, but he overcomes his feelings because he knows he must “suffer” to be prepared for the competition. He keeps his focus on what his desired outcome is . . . Victory! The way to get to that victory is to go through the struggle, discipline, and intense training required. Surprisingly, after a while of living a life of this kind of discipline, the body begins to crave it and training becomes a habit. The athlete no longer has to push through the feelings and suffering because he actually looks forward to the preparation time and getting better in his ability.
It’s the same thing with issues and problems we face each day. If we sit idly by or just ignore difficulties, most of the time they will derail us from our overall goals and victories. We need to keep our eye on the prize and remain single minded (focused). This is where the preparation time becomes so crucial. You have to build your faith and trust in God daily so that when the difficult times come, you are ready to overcome with the Word of God and your faith anchored strongly in Him through your relationship with Him.
You can look at it this way. If a thief breaks into your home, that is not the time to start looking for your weights to start building your muscles to be strong enough to overcome him. You must make those preparations ahead of time. It works the same way with overcoming the obstacles of life. You must do the work before the trial “breaks in.”
In today’s verse, Paul is talking about disciplining his body. He said he brings it into subjection so that he can talk to others about salvation without being disqualified by habits that pull him away from his focus. Paul actually says that after all he has done for the kingdom of heaven and all that he has gone through, he can still be taken out of the race if he doesn’t keep control of his bodily habits. He knew that there would be times he would have to push through his feelings, and he also knew there would still come times that he would have to resist the temptation to give up and quit.
Today I want to encourage you to strengthen your faith by getting more of God’s Word in you. Make spending time fellowshipping with God a priority in your daily “workout.” Get prepared for all obstacles by being focused on what is on the other side of your fight and get ready for the joy of victory through every trial that comes your way.
Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
The Daily Dose 