Day Five : Endurance.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” - Romans 5:3-4 NLT

Recently I am back to the gym and enroll myself in PT (Personal Trainer) program. It's been a while since my last workout time, so starting over is not easy. 

The main reason of why I get back to the gym and even enroll myself in PT program is because I want to be fit for diving (because I love diving so much).

When I went diving around end of July this year, I faced some difficulties with my physical condition, I couldn't bent over and wore my diving fins that someone helped me by putting on my diving fins to my feet. It was a cinderella moment but definitely not a happy moment for me. I felt sad and upset at that moment. 

This is not right! I felt that I was being a drag and I could feel that the diving itself became exhausting for me. It struck me like a lighting, if I want to dive for a long time, I need to take care of my body and health very well, plus, I plan to take further diving certifications. 

So I am back to the gym and start training with my Personal Trainer starting in August 2015.

At first it felt like HELL, I ran out of breath easily, I got light headed and sore muscles after every workout. Thankfully I have a good PT, he designs a suitable workout sets for me (knowing that I have problem with low blood pressure), he also provides me lots of health tips and watches my food intakes, he also encourages me during workout to push my limit (although, he said that it was still his "easy" mode -- haha!). And I did whatever he told me to do.

It was not easy. But gradually, once I keep working out and keep pushing myself, I find myself developing a good endurance and my body resistance is growing better, which means I have a better stamina, stronger muscles and better body shape :)

And when I went diving again in mid October 2015, I felt better. I got a fitter body, I could put on my diving fins on my own (yaaay!) and I enjoyed my diving time without having to be a drag or feel exhausted. Now, I feel hopeful and confident of taking further diving certifications.

The same thing also applies in life. Just like muscles being trained over and over again with increasing repetitions, weight and less resting time, if we don't give up and keep pushing through, it will slowly develop a resistance and become even stronger. That works exactly the same with our faith muscles. 

Problems and trials are like training for our faith muscles, if we don't give up we will stretch ourselves in endurance in facing the hardships holding on to the faith and hope that in everything God is working for the good of His children. 

If you are currently facing a hard time, don't give up, keep holding on and keep pushing through. It will not be easy and no one promised that it would be easy (not even God) but if we keep pressing on, we will see greater things ahead in the chance to experience God's miracle and get stronger. I will be praying for you :)

Day Four : Circumstances vs Decisions.

"Oh my God, I envy you! You are so slim and look good in everything you wear. I can never be like you, I am so overweight. " 

"It genetics, all my family are obese. I can never lose weight no matter how hard I try."

"You are so smart! Not like me."

"He comes from a rich family background of course he can have his own business, unlike me."

"I can't do it. I can never do it."

How many of you have heard people saying those statements? Or maybe you are also saying it? -- the next question would be, is it really true? is it really true that you can't do anything about it?

Some people are often stuck in accepting their circumstances that they refuse to make a decision to change it although deep inside they are craving for a change. Usually people like this choose to blame their circumstances than deciding to make a change. 

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For example :

The fact : you are overweight and always a bit chubby since you are little.

The choice : 

You can either blame your genes or you can start to workout and pushing your limit.

See, it's not like you can't lose some weight, but it's the matter of do you want to make the effort or not.

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Those with achievements are those who have worked hard and keep pushing their limits to the point of no return. You can't compare other people's chapter twenty with your chapter one and decide to give up because you are not like them. That is a wrong thought, you need to see the sweats behind the highlights, the hardworks, the tears, the hardships, the efforts and the sacrifices they have made to have reached their success.

You are not the product of your circumstances but the product of your decision. You can't change anything by complaining or regretting about your circumstances but you can surely change something by taking the decision and the first step to make a change. Stop comparing your progress with everyone else, work on your pace, time and capacity, and if you don't give up you will get your achievements and dreams too.

Everything starts with your mind and your decision. And everytime you are about to give up, remember that “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:13 NLT