You might be surprised what happens if you try …

When I trained people in the gym, it always excited me to see people come in who had never seriously tried following a personal exercise program get serious about getting fit and, some months later, beam with joy at having a noticeably improved body.

I always appreciated the person, or couple, or even the family who would come for counseling, knowing they needed help, and were ready to try real change instead of doing the same things that were ruining their relationships.

And it’s always been a great joy to see lives transformed when someone finally got serious about their faith enough to dust off their Bible and dig in with a sense of surrender to God and a willingness to obey Him.

What does it take to change your life in either small or big ways? Well, in 1986, a group of researchers published a study of Japanese mothers and mothers in Minneapolis. The mothers were asked to rank the most important things that a child needs to succeed academically. The answers tell a lot about the difference in our two cultures. The mothers in Minneapolis chose “ability.” The mothers in Japan said “effort.”

Changing our lives can sometimes be a mix of ability and effort. Even when we think we can’t change or can’t do something for lack of ability, sometimes we can, if only we try. A great example of that being true is powerfully illustrated in a true story a friend shared with me this past week. His niece, who walked with a serious limp due to cerebral palsy, shared the following story which he is allowing me to share here …

Running has never been a part of my life. About 7 months ago I began taking an exercise class and exercise became a big part of my life. I love it! About 4 months ago I began running. I ran on the treadmill at varying speeds, inclines and for longer periods of time. The other day I decided to see how much progress I made by pushing myself really hard. I ran for 2 miles straight without stopping. I have never run 2 miles, let alone without stopping. Not only that, but I ran on the track. I have only ever been running on the treadmill. Running on the track was new to me. I couldn’t believe my progress.

For my entire life I have walked differently due to my disability. Since I’ve been walking the way I have, which has been since I was about 12 years old, I have walked with a significant limp on my right side. Because of all my hard work I don’t limp anymore. In my entire life I never thought any of this would ever happen, let alone be possible for me. I never thought I would be able to run. I never thought I would strengthen my right side or gain more flexibility. I never thought I would be able to run 2 miles straight without stopping. I never thought I would not limp. I never thought I would be able to get to where I am today. I wanted to share this because this is probably the biggest, life changing accomplishment I have ever made.

What a fantastic story of how trying trumped ability and resulted in beautiful change.

“Trying” can often times bring positive change, sometimes great change, and sometimes no change at all. Yes, there are times when, like the Apostle Paul, we have to live with a “thorn in the flesh” and accept that God’s grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

But what might happen with your own life — what kind of positive, beautiful change might you bring about — if only you tried?

Scotty