Over the past 6 years, as a part of my health and fitness business, I have had the pleasure of being contracted with an Eating Disorder (ED) center in Denver that has a specific program dedicated to helping athletes recover from eating disorders (EDs). My job as the head strength and conditioning coach for this program is to work collectively with the other members of the team to reintegrate exercise in a safe and healthy manner for these athletes so they can maximize their recovery and return to their teams/sports as prepared as possible.
Research has shown that reintegrating exercise at appropriate times and in appropriate ways during an athletes recovery from an ED has increased motivation as well as improved physical and psychological responses to their treatment with a decreased likelihood of relapse.
On the other side of the coin, reintegrating exercise at the wrong times and in the wrong ways have shown quite the opposite effect on recovery and relapse. So the key is balance and understanding when, and in what ways, it is appropriate to start training.
I began to think of this related to our journey as Christian men and how the world (like an ED) can get into our lives and wreak havoc if not approached the right way. The first thing that came to mind for me was situations where we feel like we are being exposed too heavily to the world and worldly things on a regular basis. The biggest area that came to mind for me was work and work related environments.
Sometimes the excitement of a new job opportunity can fade over time as we start to meet, and get to know, the people we need to work with/for and understand that our christian bubble is small and vulnerable to constant attack by those we spend a large portion of our time with.
I know men who have left well paying, stable jobs for less stable and lower income opportunities due to their work environment being a strain on their walk with Christ. And honestly, sometimes that is exactly what is needed and could very well be the direction the Lord is leading them in.
On the other side, and more to the example I gave above, there are many (likely more) times that God has you in a specific place, around specific people, for a reason. Sometimes that reason can be hard to see at first but in the end it is more beneficial for you and those around you.
The world is like the Eating Disorder. It causes a lot of damage, wants to control the way we act and think, and ultimately can destroy us and our faith. The way to beat the world (and eating disorders in relation to this example) is to take it head on and learn how to manage it in a way that keeps you healthy and strong spiritually while also understanding that the world will always be there with a desire to destroy you and pull you away from God.
The great commission in Matthew 28:19 says to go and make disciples of ALL nations. Meaning, the whole world and everyone in it. With that, sometimes the “World” we need to be working in, is right in front of us. And as much as we want to get out and move on to get away from it, we may be running away from the exact place God is calling us to do HIS work within.
Just as integrating exercise at the right time and in the right ways has been shown to improve recovery and limit relapse, too much too soon has been shown to have the opposite effect and be more detrimental over the long term. The same could be said for how we approach the world around us. It may not be the best idea to immerse yourself willingly into the world to try to help those that are lost. This could be more damaging than beneficial. A funny example I have heard that rings true here is, don’t go to the strip club to minister to the lost.
Small doses at the right times can produce the best results. For instance, maybe sitting with an unbeliever at lunch to get to know them better. Build a relationship and share/demonstrate Christ in a way that will be beneficial for them. Realize though that your faith needs to be stronger than the influence of the world around you. If it isn't there yet, you may need to take time to build a stronger relationship with God and deepen your faith first.
I’ll be honest, this was just a trail of thought based on an article I was reading recently and a curious relation to what some of us experience as men of Christ. So I hope it makes sense and is connecting with some of you.
I understand that having a boss or co-workers that live openly and unashamedly in the ways of the world can be tough. Things are said and done that go directly against your beliefs and way of life as a Christ follower.
But as Jesus said:
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
Maybe you are right where God needs you in order to continue his work in the world. We can’t escape the world and the only way to beat it is to face it head on. Defeating the world takes time and although the approach can be aggressive there needs to be understanding around approaching people and situations at the right times and in the right way. The wrong way at the wrong time will likely only prolong any sort of permanent restoration.
Ask God to show you ways to reach the lost and open doors to opportunities to do so. My guess is that if you ask, you will receive. You can fact check that one in scripture.
Blessings