Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
When I was raising my daughter, this verse was foundational for me. Like so many parents, I was intentional about training her in the things of God: integrity, respect, love, kindness, honor, and work ethic.
But as I think back now, I realize Scripture doesn’t just call us to train our children, it calls us to train ourselves as well. The Bible speaks in more than fifty places about training, discipline, and instruction. Training takes intentionality. It takes work.
When I was training to walk half marathons — 13.1 miles — it was sixteen weeks of methodical preparation, starting small and slowly building endurance. To cross that finish line, I logged nearly 300 miles of walking. It took discipline, long and lonely roads, sore muscles, and many moments when I wanted to quit. But every time I crossed that finish line, it was worth it.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about my spiritual training the same way. It takes discipline, showing up, studying God’s Word, letting Him teach, correct, and strengthen me. It’s breaking down bad habits and false ideas and building spiritual muscle through obedience and trust.
Spiritual endurance doesn’t happen overnight. But when the time comes for the Lord to use me, I want to be ready, trained, steadfast, and faithful, so I can finish the race well.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that we may be fully equipped for every good work. And 1 Timothy 4:7–8 says to train ourselves for godliness, because while physical training is of some value, godliness holds value for all things. Hebrews 12:11 tells us that discipline produces “a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 echo the same truth: “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” He says he disciplines his body and keeps it under control so that nothing hinders his calling. Philippians 3:13–14 reminds us to forget what’s behind, press on toward what’s ahead, and fix our eyes on the goal.
Training isn’t punishment; it’s preparation. It’s how God shapes us for the race He’s marked out for us.
Today’s Step:
Take inventory of your spiritual training plan. What habits strengthen your endurance: prayer, study, worship, obedience? Where might God be calling you to “add a mile” to stretch your faith a little further this week? Write down one intentional way you can train in godliness today. Then take that step, even if it’s slow, even if it’s lonely. Faithfulness over time builds endurance. And every step counts toward the finish line.
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