God’s Gym

The old joke states, “Never ask God for patience because He’ll give you opportunities to practice.”

We laugh because it’s true. That’s the comedy.

The tragedy is when we follow this terrible advice.

I mean, it would be ridiculous to say, “Don’t tell a trainer you want to build muscle, because he might start asking you to lift weights.”

I came into 2024 asking God to help me grow in humility and fortitude. Those two virtues have become my version of the “word of the year” that many people like to establish at the beginning of January.

Even though I know better, apparently assumed growing in these virtues would just magically happen. Because when He’s given me opportunities to do so, I’ve often complained and felt resentful, rolling my eyes as if to say, “Here we go, just as I expected. Thanks a lot for making my life harder, God.” 

Which is kind of dumb.

It’s the equivalent of a conversation at a gym that goes like this:

Trainer: Welcome to our gym, how can I help you?

Me: I’d like you to help me get buff.

Trainer: Great! Let’s start with these exercises…

Me: You’re fired. 

Literally no one is shocked or resentful when the trainer has them lift heavy weights. They might quit because it’s hard, but they don’t blame the trainer.

The reality is that reading books or watching videos of other people demonstrating their lifting routine and technique does not add one ounce of muscle to your body. And no one gets ripped after one day in the weight room. You have to put in the reps.

In the same way, knowing about a virtue is not the same as acquiring it through hard work and effort.

The warning against asking God for patience is rooted in seeking a life of comfort. But as Pope Benedict XVI said, “You were not made for comfort, you are made for greatness.”

And his predecessor, Saint John Paul II said, “Do not be afraid to be saints.”

We should all desire to grow in virtue and holiness. Let us not be afraid to step into God’s Gym and ask Him to help us become a saint. And let us not be afraid or surprised when He gives us opportunities to attain it.

Like a good trainer, He has promised that He’d be with us every step of the way.

It’s not easy, but after a year of lifting heavy weights, you’ll get pretty buff. 

Almost makes me wonder how much more virtuous I’ll look in a year.