Blog Post Two// Stretch Armstrong

I’ve been told there are far too many benefits to not stretch.

Stretching:
1. Increases your flexibility
2. Increases your range of motion (I guess that’s not the same thing?)
3. Improves your performance in physical activities
4. Increases blood flow to your muscles
5. Improves your posture
6. Helps to heal and prevent pain
7. Is great for stress relief
8. Can calm your mind
9. Helps decrease tension headaches

Apparently, if all we did was stretch there would be no need for doctors or medicine. One month I tried a stretch program that guaranteed I’d be able to do the splits in 30 days. I did it faithfully. No splits after a month. Not quite the splits after two. But pretty much all nine of that list happened. I hate it when they are right.

The truth I don’t like: there is much blessing in stretching. God is trying to constantly move us to where the blessing is and (wuff) that’s where the stretching is. So, the stretching list with a spiritual twist.

Stretching:
1. Increases your flexibility - I don’t have to be in control. I’m open to whatever God wants me to do.
2. Increases your range of motion - I am not stuck in the hurts of the past.
3. Improves your performance in [spiritual] activities - When I’m going through something, nobody outprays or outworships me—I’m more hungry for the things of God (don’t like to admit it but it’s true).
4. Increases blood flow to your muscles - There’s an increased measure of faith given when I am stretched beyond comfort.
5. Improves your posture - Stretching always means growth.
6. Helps to heal and prevent pain - Things don’t get to me like they used to.
7. Is great for stress relief - Cast your cares on God. Let Him carry them.
8. Can calm your mind - I have the mind of Christ—and He is always calm.
9. Helps decrease tension headaches - If God is in control, why do I need to be so uptight?

Blessed are the flexible. Back to the splits.