Christian Powerlifters, Bodybuilders, Sports trainers

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snr5557

Member
Jan 19, 2014
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Suhar said:
[SIZE=medium]Back to modus operandi. Did God create you to find happiness in chasing little yellow ball like a dog or is it Satan who lessens his attacks so that you act like an animal instead of human created in the likeness of God?[/SIZE]
How is playing a tennis acting like an animal? How is lifting wieghts acting like an animal? That's incredibly rude to equate people who play sports with a dog. God created many things to make people happy. Maybe you personally do not find happiness with sports, but that isn't the same for everyone. How can you be so judgemental towards others? This happens to be a normal way to be healthy, to challenge the body and mind, and create friendships.
Madad21

I kind of got into a whole other converstation with Suhar, but I'll try to answer the question.

I don't think you're doing anything wrong.

Madad21 said:
Hi was just curious to know if there are any other strength trainers or Sports people using this forum.
And if there is, I was wondering if any of you have run in to any conflict as Christians.

I wouldn't really call myself a sports person, but I enjoy tennis. And I've never seen it as a conflict with Christianity.


As a powerlifter I sometimes struggle with pride being stronger than most and competitive.
Not an arrogant cocky pride, but an "I know Im strong" endorphin testosterone driven feel good type of pride.

I don't think being aware of what a person's strength is (in your case actual strength :)). A teacher can know that they are good at what they do, or a poet aware that their words resonate well with readers. Being confident in one's self isn't bad, but when confidence turns to arrogance is when it's a problem. The fact that you're worried about this suggests that you are not a prideful person in this aspect of your life.


Also to sometimes lift a heavy max weight I sometimes have to work myself into a blind rage to get my adrenalin up.

In tennis the more emotion you feel the worse you end up doing, so I can't really relate to this part, sorry.


For quite sometime now I have been trying to rectify both of these habits, though I have only had minimal success.

I want to glorify God with the strength he has gifted me, but I still feel like Im only glorifying myself more.

If you're really worried about this, you could use your hobby to help others. Maybe there is a person who needs help around the gym, like getting started. The only reason I even know what I'm doing (kind of) is because of my instructor. I would probably be doing things wrong all the time without guidance. Maybe you could be a mentor to someone who is in the process of learning how to lift. I remember seeing guys at the gym, when doing a particular heavy lift guys around him will push him on with, "Come on matt you got this!" etc. I've read about campaigns that other people who are body builders that try to help others who struggle to live a healthy life. Maybe you could research this and find a way to use what you're good at to help others live better. Sorry if any of this was repetitive.


Anyone here understand what Im blabbering on about?

Kind of :)
 

Suhar

New Member
Mar 28, 2013
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[SIZE=medium]If you do not understand the point I made then there is no point in repeating it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Oh well. I will do it anyway.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]It will sound incredibly rude but I just do not know how else to express it any other way.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Again not meant to be ride in any way.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]If you choose to act like a dog and find happiness in chasing little yellow ball you are going to have a mindset worthy of that animalistic activity that cannot understand that human being created in the image and likeness of God can only find happiness in God and not any other thing.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Yet again. Not meant to be rude. What rude is you submitting yourself into mindset and behavior not worthy of human created in the image and likeness of God. In fact you are being rude to yourself by doing that.[/SIZE]
 

snr5557

Member
Jan 19, 2014
307
2
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Suhar said:
[SIZE=medium]If you do not understand the point I made then there is no point in repeating it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Oh well. I will do it anyway.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]It will sound incredibly rude but I just do not know how else to express it any other way.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Again not meant to be ride in any way.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]If you choose to act like a dog and find happiness in chasing little yellow ball you are going to have a mindset worthy of that animalistic activity that cannot understand that human being created in the image and likeness of God can only find happiness in God and not any other thing.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Yet again. Not meant to be rude. What rude is you submitting yourself into mindset and behavior not worthy of human created in the image and likeness of God. In fact you are being rude to yourself by doing that.[/SIZE]
Not really. I'm guessing you've never really played sports?
 

snr5557

Member
Jan 19, 2014
307
2
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Suhar said:
That is not a point. "Going personal" is always a sure sign of lost argument.
That's just more of a side note, not an actual argument. The not really part is what was in response to what you had said. Where on Earth did you get this view of enjoying life is somehow bad?
 

Suhar

New Member
Mar 28, 2013
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Western WA
[SIZE=medium]Just feeling sorry for somebody who cannot understand that happiness can ONLY be found in God and not ANYWHERE else. You can either seek ejoyiment in God or in life but it can only be found in God.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium] May God give you right heart and mind so that you will understand that.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Do you know what Bible said about serving two masters?[/SIZE]
 

snr5557

Member
Jan 19, 2014
307
2
18
Suhar said:
[SIZE=medium]Just feeling sorry for somebody who cannot understand that happiness can ONLY be found in God and not ANYWHERE else. You can either seek ejoyiment in God or in life but it can only be found in God.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium] May God give you right heart and mind so that you will understand that.[/SIZE]
God gave us a life to enjoy. What you're saying is the equivalent as refusing to stare at the sky when it's colors are beautiful, or closing off your ears to hear the birds chirp in the morning, or covering your eyes whenever you see a tree blossoming with amazing pink flowers. You might as well lock yourself in a windowless cell with the Bible and refuse all contact, with the exception of someone bringing you food, but only bland food of course. In which case, it would not make sense for you to even being using the internet.
 

Suhar

New Member
Mar 28, 2013
436
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Western WA
snr5557 said:
God gave us a life to enjoy. What you're saying is the equivalent as refusing to stare at the sky when it's colors are beautiful, or closing off your ears to hear the birds chirp in the morning, or covering your eyes whenever you see a tree blossoming with amazing pink flowers. You might as well lock yourself in a windowless cell with the Bible and refuse all contact, with the exception of someone bringing you food, but only bland food of course. In which case, it would not make sense for you to even being using the internet.


[SIZE=medium]You truly do not know God who created all those trees and flowers. Knowing Creator is happiness not looking at creation. He put them there so that you can find Him and be tryly happy. You cannot find God in creation or windowlees cell if He is not in your heart.[/SIZE]
 

snr5557

Member
Jan 19, 2014
307
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What makes you think I don't know Him? That is such a large leap from playing tennis to not knowing God. I mean, there's not even a correlation between the two.
 

Suhar

New Member
Mar 28, 2013
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Western WA
[SIZE=medium]Because you do not understand that all those trees and flowers are like a road signs saying “that way” and you just sit there and stare at the sign as if this is your final destination.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Indeed there is no correlation and you know what God said about serving two masters.[/SIZE]
 

snr5557

Member
Jan 19, 2014
307
2
18
Suhar said:
[SIZE=medium]Because you do not understand that all those trees and flowers are like a road signs saying “that way” and you just sit there and stare at the sign as if this is your final destination.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Indeed there is no correlation and you know what God said about serving two masters.[/SIZE]
When did I say that it was the final destination? Honestly, and it's not just you, why do people assume so much online? I hear from people how people in the church are so judgemental and I just took their word for it. Now I see it to be true. For you, playing tennis is the equivalent of ignoring God. That's ridiculous.
 

Suhar

New Member
Mar 28, 2013
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Western WA
snr5557 said:
When did I say that it was the final destination? Honestly, and it's not just you, why do people assume so much online? I hear from people how people in the church are so judgemental and I just took their word for it. Now I see it to be true. For you, playing tennis is the equivalent of ignoring God. That's ridiculous.


Sounds like you are saying that you find happiness in playing tennis AND in God.

Serving two masters.
 

snr5557

Member
Jan 19, 2014
307
2
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Suhar said:
Sounds like you are saying that you find happiness in playing tennis AND in God.

Serving two masters.
Not at all. But I can see this is going nowhere. You won't see that God is loving and wants us to be happy.
 

Suhar

New Member
Mar 28, 2013
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Western WA
snr5557 said:
Not at all. But I can see this is going nowhere. You won't see that God is loving and wants us to be happy.

I know that God wants us to be happy. He created us and He knows that you will not find true happiness in chasing little yellow ball!

You may not know but He does! He created you to be happy in Him and Him only. If He wanted you to be happy in chasing little yellow ball he would at least give you four legs!
 

Madad21

Boast in Christ
Dec 28, 2013
1,108
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FHII said:
Treat the powerlifting and strength sports as a hobby. Hobbies are fun, but not as important as work, family and marriage and certainly not more important (not even close!) as Jesus Christ. But, tarry in the flesh and don't let it get in the way of important things.

As for the "I know I'm strong" pride... Well, pride is never a good thing, but it's not on the level of spiritual pride which is what is more of a concern in the Bible. But even in your everyday life, stay humble! Somewhere there is someone physically stronger than you!

The blind rage and adrenilin needed for max lifting.... Not a problem in my book....
Your right it is just a hobby, it used to be way more then that, over the years I have replaced it with the Word.

I didnt explain the pride thing too well, its kind of hard to explain,
its not a "Im a Big man" syndrome, I have always despised that rubbish.
Its more of a massive head rush of confidence which usually comes near the end of some pretty hard core trainning, it has alot to do with realized endorphins.

But you are all right when you say that Jesus is way more important, that goes without saying.

But I came to Christ after I had already been lifting 6 years, I prayed over it and received the answer one morning when I woke with the words "Love the Lord with all your might" replaying over and over in my head.

I had to now lift for God or stop altogether,. so I had set about changing my mind and thought process to match what had already begun to take place in my heart.

Now lifting takes a huge back seat, my trainning is cut in half and I could care less how I look. But I still enjoy power trainning.

I was 75kg which is 165lbs and now 11 years later I am 130kg or 287lbs.
When I started I was in a bad way and needed a life change and it really helped to give me a new out look.
It was an obsession for many years after that.

And then I came to Christ and now I find the desire to lift giving off side effects which are no longer desirable too me because Christ is sooooooo much more then anything else in my life.

I could care less for building my flesh, like someone here said just goes back to dust anyway.

So please everyone dont get my words wrong, Im not a head strong meat head.

I love Jesus and spend literally 7 hours per night in his Word and Im starting a proper degree in Biblical theology and History this year which I am incredibly excited about.

i was just wondering if other sports people have conflicts as Christians in their chosen sport.

I also like Monster Trucks. but who doesnt right..
 

KingJ

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Mar 18, 2011
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Madad21 said:
Your right it is just a hobby, it used to be way more then that, over the years I have replaced it with the Word.

I didnt explain the pride thing too well, its kind of hard to explain,
its not a "Im a Big man" syndrome, I have always despised that rubbish.
Its more of a massive head rush of confidence which usually comes near the end of some pretty hard core trainning, it has alot to do with realized endorphins.
Pride is a battle in every field. I would say aggression and hot temper are the risks to isolate here. Strength training increases testosterone. High testosterone = easily aggressive and hot tempered.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/testosterone-promotes-agression-aut-12-06-09/

I am not suggesting you stop. Just continue to judge yourself harshly / honestly. As it seems you are ^_^.

Proverbs 22:24-25 - Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. Proverbs 29:22 - An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
 

FHII

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Apr 9, 2011
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Madad21 said:
I also like Monster Trucks. but who doesnt right..
Well, yea.... Who doesn't?

Sounds like you have a good spiritual perspective on things.
 

Madad21

Boast in Christ
Dec 28, 2013
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KingJ said:
Pride is a battle in every field. I would say aggression and hot temper are the risks to isolate here. Strength training increases testosterone. High testosterone = easily aggressive and hot tempered.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/testosterone-promotes-agression-aut-12-06-09/

I am not suggesting you stop. Just continue to judge yourself harshly / honestly. As it seems you are ^_^.

Proverbs 22:24-25 - Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. Proverbs 29:22 - An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
Thats true brother, its even addictive, thanks for the link.


FHII said:
Well, yea.... Who doesn't?

Sounds like you have a good spiritual perspective on things.
Thanks for your support, I appreciate it more then you know.
Humility plays a huge role in the gym for most Christians,... I would say.
Being a power lifter isnt so bad because its not about how you look, just strength.
I wouldn't be a bodybuilder for quids, too much looking in the mirror, vanity and such.

Monster trucks rock..was thinking about maybe investing in an RC one to blat around the park here, cost big bucks though for a decent one.