GREATER: 5 Days of Inspiration to Increase Your FaithChikamu

DAY 5 - STRETCH YOUR FAITH

And without faith it is impossible to please God.

— Hebrews 11:6

In Parade magazine Sylvester Stallone shared he has switched from lifting weights to Pilates and resistance bands. He wants to stretch his muscles more than flex them. He advises people to jump rope, hit the speed bag and stretch their muscles.

Tom Brady’s TB12 system is built on pliability, stretching muscles so they are more flexible. They take stretching to a new level of pliability. While flexibility is focused on stretching out joints and the muscles around them, pliability focuses on deep tissue and full body work that strengthens and heals muscles.

Flexibility is about stretching out before or after a workout, while pliability is stretching accompanied by deep tissue work, nervous system stimulation, hydration and nutrition. They believe it’s more all-encompassing than flexibility and has greater long-term benefits.

For instance, a roller increases muscle flexibility, keeping muscles long and resilient. But with a vibrating roller it can increase muscular strength, kinetic awareness and range of movement, it gives a spectrum of benefits to your muscles.

Whatever the method, stretching is so important for a healthy body, especially over time. As we age, we become less and less flexible in our muscles and joints. Stretching decreases muscle stiffness and increases range of motion. It reduces your risk of injury.

Stretching helps reduce or manage stress. Well-stretched muscles hold less tension, so they help you feel less stressed. It also promotes circulation. Stretching increases blood supply to your muscles and joints, which allows for greater nutrient transportation and improves the circulation of blood through your entire body.

Stretching decreases the risk of low-back pain. Flexibility in the hamstrings, hip flexors and muscles attached to the pelvis relieves pressure on the lumbar spine, which in turn reduces the risk of common lower-back injuries.

Over time to be spiritually fit we need to stretch too. And stretching spiritually always has to do with faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us “And without faith it is impossible to please God.” God wants to stretch our faith. Instead of stretching doubt causes us to shrink back, to live in fear, to give up hope.

Just like physical stretching, spiritual stretching is not easy. Stretching requires us to move out of our comfort zone. But when we exercise faith, it causes us to rise up, live with purpose, press on — faith drives us forward.

God may want you to do something, say something, give something, start something. Everything is impossible without faith, but nothing is impossible with faith. Let God stretch your faith. He has something greater for you, but you must act in faith.