Exercising and working out are the only ways to strengthen our body. As we lift weights or do other strength-training activities, our muscles grow and we become stronger. Often times, though, it is difficult to work out - we have to push our muscles beyond what is comfortable. Afterwards, we often feel sore as a result of breaking down the fibers in our muscles; however this pain is actually a sign that our muscles are getting stronger. Unless we work out regularly, our muscles will lose their strength and we will become weaker.
In this way, our muscles are like our testimony, or our faith. The only way to build faith is to work. We must make an effort to do things that build faith, such as studying the scriptures and praying. In President Thomas S. Monson's most recent General Conference talk, "Be an Example and a Light," he said, "In order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital." I love how simple this counsel is. I've been thinking a lot lately about faith and how to build and maintain it, and just as President Monson says, it is as simple as studying the word of God and communicating with Him regularly. When those two things are done with real intent, our faith grows.
Just like with working out, doing things to build faith are not always things that we want to do. I know that I will feel better after working out, but it is still hard to get myself to do it sometimes - my natural man wants to sit around or sleep. Similarly, even though I know that studying the scriptures and praying and doing other things to build faith will help me, it's still hard to get myself to do it sometimes. My natural man would rather engage in mindless activities like watching TV shows or checking social media. Pushing ourselves physically and spiritually both take effort but produce great outcomes that will make us better.
Muscle atrophy is a result of not using our muscles - if we don't use them, we lose them. Faith is the same way. One of my favorite quotes comes from President Henry B. Eyring, who said, "Great faith has a short shelf life." Maintaining our muscles takes constant effort, constant pushing. Maintaining our faith works the same way. We can't stop our spiritual habits and expect to have the same spiritual strength. As we put forth the effort to know and understand the gospel and seek the Spirit, we are promised the strength to resist temptation and weather the storms of life. In Alma 13:28, we are urged to "humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering." We are promised that we can withstand temptation and develop the qualities that Christ has, but we must do our part by humbling ourselves, praying, and becoming well-acquainted with His words.
The prophets, both modern and ancient, have warned that we must be spiritually prepared to take on the evil that surrounds us. We are promised that if we are prepared, we have no reason to fear (D&C 38:30). If we've worked our spiritual muscles, we will be prepared to "run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).
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