My bestie and I had what was probably our 1837th conversation on the exact same topic we’ve discussed for decades. We’ve been friends for over 40 years (yes, I’m that old), and our chats inevitably include this ubiquitous subject: The battle of the bulge. 

The war with weight. The combat of calories. The pillage of pounds. You get it.

During our conversation yesterday, we repeated what we’ve whined about for years: we’re trying so hard—but we’re not exactly succeeding. 

We did some crazy diets in our younger days. We’ve progressed to saner, sustainable lifestyle choices in our not-so-young days. We’ve exercised with Jane Fonda and Jillian Michaels. 

We’ve done the work.

At least most days. Or mostly, some days. But the weekend arrives—and all that effort goes down the drain (unlike those stubborn pounds that refuse to go anywhere). But this is not a post about weight loss (or the lack thereof). 

This is about how to grow in Christ instead of simply “trying.”

As disciples of Christ, we want to do well in so many areas: our faith, health, careers, ministry, finances, parenting, relationships…the list is long. We may find ourselves trying to invest in each of these areas. But we may also find ourselves feeling like we’re failing.

Firstly, I want to encourage you: God sees your efforts, and He is pleased when you long to glorify Him through your life. This is definitely not about winning God’s approval through a perfect track record. 

But how do we move from mere human effort to a fruitful life that glorifies God?

How do we stop simply “trying” to be better disciples?    

Instead of trying, Here’s what God laid on my heart to share.

Turning

The question is, where is our focus? Is it on Jesus, the Author and Sustainer of our faith? Instead of focusing on effort, can we fix our gaze on Him? When we repeatedly refocus our attention on Him, something shifts. We learn to forget ourselves. We long to lift up His name. Friend, before we start that next diet or buy that next course, can we turn to God so He can reorder our desires? It may only require a time of prayer rather than an entire overhaul. For instance, today, before I cranked out yet another blog, I paused to pray that God would first refine my priorities. I believe He is answering that prayer and will continue to do so.

Trusting

Before trying to “make things happen” in our own strength, can we put our trust in God? Practically speaking, what does that look like? Perhaps we can recall what God says about Himself in His Word. We can confess that we are not leaning on our own understanding but on Him (Prov 3:5). We can even learn to weave rhythms of rest into our work as we release control to a sovereign God. Trusting God is that heart attitude that doesn’t say, “I got this.” Instead, it says, “God, You got this.” It then demonstrates it by going all in without basing your worth on your accomplishments. 

Training

I believe that “training, not trying” is an idea shared by Craig Groeschel from Life Church, as inspired by the Christian thinker Dallas Willard. Just as an Olympian trains for the games (rather than merely tries), we as disciples are called to long, deep, sacrificial, persistent, radical commitment. Effort is not unbiblical. Trying to earn our way up to God is.

1 Timothy 4:7 reminds us to train ourselves to be godly. It doesn’t say to try hard to be godly. Training looks like making a plan and then sticking with it. Or in Willard’s words, “To train means arranging our life around those practices that enable us to do what we cannot now do by direct effort.”

When we turn to God in our weakness, when we trust who He is, and when we train wisely, we’ll realize the futility of simply trying harder.  We will enter into the beautiful tension of resting in Christ while embracing the disciplines of training so our lives can be full and fruitful as God intended. 

 

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