Strengthen your Core

Every now and then I suffer excruciating back pains; just last week I bent down to retrieve a bottle cap (why did I do that?) and pain shot through my back like a torpedo. I could not move. I called out to my daughter for help. She admonished me saying, “Mom, you need to strengthen your core.”

I have heard this so many times, not just from my daughter but from my son, my niece, my doctor and a physio therapist – yes, I’ve been. So, why am I reluctant to strengthen my core, especially when I know that it will certainly ease my back problem?

Thinking about this physical core weakness, led me to ponder upon the strength of one’s spiritual core. I have noticed that many church-going people’s spiritual cores are weak. They attend services religiously, participate in weekly bible study, volunteer without hesitation, yet their faith seems lacklustre. Anything that requires them to demonstrate strong faith only exposes their doubtfulness.

There are times when we have all been uncertain about one thing or another, but consistent ambivalence is another matter.

Just as I need to make an expended effort to exercise my core muscles, we need to diligently exercise our faith muscles.

We have all been given the measure of faith (see Romans 12:3) so we have no excuse, the faith is there, we simply need to strengthen the faith we already have.

Faith is essential for living this spiritual life; it’s vital in our relationship with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

…without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him. – Hebrews 11:6 (CEV)

Now more than ever, in this topsy-turvy world, we need to be deliberate in developing our faith. Some of us have recently lost our livelihoods, we’re in a quandary because we cannot see when, how and if our circumstances will get better. It is hard but this is when we must dig in deep to strengthen our spiritual core.

Beloved, do you remember that faith you had when you first believed? What’s happened to it? That took strong faith.

You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful. – Colossians 2:7 (CEV)

The wonderful thing about this journey is that you are not expected to grow strong faith on your own; you have a Helper, Christ’s own Spirit.

In Mark chapter nine, the man who brought his demon possessed son to be healed said to Jesus,

“…Please have pity and help us if you can!”

Sometimes we believe that Jesus cannot help us in our situations, but look at Jesus’ response to the boy’s bewildered father, knowing that it is His response to you,

“Why do you say ‘if you can’? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!”

It is time that you, like the boy's father, cry out to Jesus, “I do have faith! Please help me to have even more.”

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Strengthen your Core” ©2026, January 13, 2026