The cause of my pain was finally diagnosed by our chiropractor. A back muscle called quadratus lumborum was waaaay too tight. The doctor explained that this muscle band needed a good blood flow to be healthy and it wasn’t getting it. Treatment: deep massage and stretching.

We’ve all experienced the stiffness of unused muscles, even if we’ve only been still for a couple of hours. The same thing happens with our spiritual muscles. In the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30, the servant who hid his “gift” instead of using it eventually lost it. Those who used their talents were blessed with more.

As believers, fear, laziness, and disobedience are all causes of “stiffness” in our spiritual life. In order to be spiritually healthy, we need to use the gifts God has blessed us with to serve others.

My doctor also shared this example. If I made a tight fist and stuck it in water and then took my hand out, my palm would be dry, a picture of the lack of blood flow to my back muscle.

I thought of how we may hang on to sin so tightly that we do not allow the blood of Jesus to flow into that area of our life to bring healing. What we need to do is open our hand, release the sin or problem and allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse and forgive.

Scripture tells us, “[L]et us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience . . . . And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:22, 24).

Our spiritual muscles need blood as well as movement. Let’s go!