Stress plus rest equals growth. One minus the other leads to atrophy, disintegration, and eventually death. Using our muscles as an example, it takes the right balance of stress and rest to stimulate continued growth. We who seek to get physically stronger know that this balance can be hard to find. Oftentimes we do not stress our muscles enough, expecting to increase strength without much challenge. This strategy is flawed at its core and leads to disappointment and wasted time. Some of us workout too often, not allowing muscles enough time to rest. Again, disappointment follows as muscles become injured or weakened without adequate recovery time. Left to our own devices, it can be difficult to push hard enough and rest long enough to recognize gains. Fortunately, finding a great coach can help one find the right balance. A trusted coach can challenge our comfort zone, raising our expectations while enacting routines that demand rest.
The formula of stress plus rest equals growth applies to more aspects of life than strength training. For example, plants need a certain balance of stress and rest to mature. This fact is useful when transplanting from greenhouse to vegetable garden. The incremental, balanced stressing of the plant by gradually exposing it to direct sunlight and winds outside of the greenhouse “hardens” the plant, increasing its vigor. In plants, stress from changing seasons also produces urgency to produce fruit and pass on seed. Now that we have touched on a few applications of this basic formula, let us apply it to spiritual growth.
Perhaps the most valuable application of this formula can be found as we seek a better relationship with God. To strengthen our relationship, stress plus rest also equals growth. Like in the other examples, without the right stress/rest balance, we will end up disappointed in our pursuit. As giving authority to a trusted coach can help us find balance in our quest to get stronger physically, the secret to balance leading to spiritual growth is the exaltation of Jesus.
The exaltation of Jesus brings the right amount of stress and rest to grow into His image, increasing our intimacy with Him. As Jesus is given the highest place, we are stressed with conviction as we behold the spotless Lamb of God who lived a sinless life. We are faced with a standard of holiness that only Christ provides. Jesus raises the bar. He increases the weight we must carry. He reminds us that we must possess a righteousness greater than that of the Pharisees to enter the Kingdom of God. He directly addresses the sinful desire of our itching ears to “relax one of the least of these commandments” and teach others to do the same. He warns us to not only avoid murder and adultery but to avoid anger with our brothers, any hint of lust, retaliation, and false promises, for all of these sins make us liable to fire. He commands us to love our enemies.
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Jesus (Matthew 5:48)
Compared to other people we can feel good enough. Beholding Christ, we are convicted of our sin. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth (1 Peter 2:22). He did nothing apart from the Father. This is the stress that comes from the exaltation of Jesus. There is no growth without this necessary stress in the equation. Flawed people lower standards. Exalting Jesus and not ourselves keeps us from lowered standards that lead to death. We must embrace His helpful, albeit stressful words on hell, sin, and judgement.
Remembering our equation, conviction alone will not bring growth. Many have heard a false gospel that adds unbearable weight without resurrection power. It is true that chronic stress kills. The stress of God is not chronic. The true Gospel of Jesus brings conviction that is rightly balanced with encouragement. The spotless Lamb is also the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. As we are humbled by His holiness, we are lifted up by His completed work on the cross. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. In our own strength, a growing relationship with God is impossible…however, with God all things are possible. Combined with His standard of holiness set before us, He provides us with a righteousness through faith in His salvation that produces the deep rest needed to grow. To lift up Jesus is to magnify His finished work, providing rest for those who love Him and seek to obey His command to be Holy.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Jesus (Matthew 11:28)
Spiritual maturity comes from a right relationship with God. A right relationship with God comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way to the Father.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – Jesus (John 14:6)
The exaltation of Jesus, the King of Kings, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, leads to our transformation into His image for His glory. The Spirit of God is at work where Jesus is exalted, bringing balance between conviction and encouragement that leads to continued growth. Run from those wolves that only convict or those that only encourage. May Jesus, the good Shepherd, be the prize on which our eyes are fixed. Seeking Him above all else, we will experience balanced conviction and encouragement that leads to ever-increasing joy in His presence.
In Christ,
Roger Garrison
*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.