BrandonM.B’s BodyBlog

 Today, as I dragged myself to the gym(stayed up to late last night), I had a feeling of dread. Today was back day, which meant power cleans as my first exercise. I was intinidated, and I realize that I feel this feeling before every workout lately…the feeling of fear!

My weight training the last 2 months has been fortyfive to fifty minute sessions, twelve sets of twelve different exercise using a weight that is at least 70% of my max, and sometimes 85%, then finishing the bodypart with a challenging bodyweight exercise(Handstand pushups, One arm pushups, Box jumps,ect)…even with the three to four minute rests between sets it is a daunting challenge, and I always am nervous and a little afraid as a start my workouts, the first exercise being a difficult powerlift. Let it be known, power cleans are HARD, full barbell squats and deadlifts are HARD, ect! Most at the gym never even do these exercises. ANY exercise at a heavy weight takes so much energy and intensity and focus…

The thoughts run through my mind as I go through my preparation, as I pray to Jesus for strength, endurance, courage, focus, and safety as I train….I know the fire inside I must have to push the weight and to keep going to get the maximum possible reps. The focused mind that keeps each rep as perfect as possible, even as the body is begging to stop. And each exercise, a intimidating obstacle in my journey to forge a powerfully muscled body. The steel bar and weights are cold, unmerciful; they care not if you are young or old, male or female, at peak fitness or trying to just get back in shape. They cannot be bargained with, nor appealed to. Steel cables, bars, and weight…they remain perfect and steadfast in their purpose; to be that inmovable opponent that will only yield to a fiery combination of mind, muscle and heart.

So what is it I fear? I fear that as I wrestle the steel I will lose heart in the midst of anguish, that the fire in me will not suffice and the steel will win…the fear that I will leave the gym wondering, "Did I give it EVERYTHING I had, or did I let the steel bring me to submission.?" Of having to wait a whole week to get another chance to fire out that one extra  rep or lift that five extra pounds, that feeling is more terrifying than the pain of my muscles or the fire in me as I lift threatening to burn me down with exhaustion.

So I do what I came do, I lay my hands upon the steel and I bring out the fire within, powering muscles as I take them to the limit. I grip with all my might and overcome the fear.

And something wonderful happens after overcoming the fear, exercise by exercise. I feel that sense of exhiliration, those working muscles trembling after being taxed in battle; knowing that I have become stronger inside and out…that I am one step closer to reaching my goal!

I know you all would understand:) God bless you!

   Some say our new president is the change we need in America. I for one don’t have politcal affiliations, I pray that he will do the right thing and do what was in the best interest of the American people. I pray that the Lord will bless him with wisdom and courage…but what do we need in America for change?

We need God!!! We need the Lord Jesus, Almighty God! He is what made America great, through His blessing! We need prayer in schools, we need to quit tolerating perversion and immorality for the sake of political correctness, we need to put God first in our lives, individually and as a people! We let God get pushed to the side, when he really belongs at the head! Our nation’s survival and continued existence depends on His blessing, without it nothing any politician can do will save it…

When we make it wrong to pray in schools to Jesus, when we kill unborn babies, when we make perversion entertainment, we can fully expect not to be blessed…one day they will try and make it so it will be illegal to even write what I am writing now! So I will say it now…WE NEED JESUS MORE THAN EVER! It ain’t politically correct, but the Lord ain’t political…he is the LORD, and what He says goes! He is STILL in charge, yesterday, today, and forever…and what He wants is even far better than our own flawed plans and designs.  For God is love. 

Pray for our new president, that he will seek the Lord Jesus in all things that he may lead well, and do that which is right in the sight of the Lord. That I think is a great step towards positive change here in America.

Thanks for reading and God bless