Did you know that for a boxer shadow boxing can be a key component to winning the fight? It’s not just for looks. It warms up muscles and if done well will psych-out the competitor.
But the true value of shadowboxing is the gift it gives to the one employing it. Shadow boxing allows the person to see themselves engaged in battle.
The person uses their “minds eye” so they can visualize themselves against the enemy.
It ready’s them.
A DoAhead is a woman of vision.
Shadow Boxing is a visionary tool!
And yet——–I haven’t used shadow boxing.
As I could.
As I should.
As I will.
We have an opponent friends. I’m far more shy about acknowledging this than scripture is.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12 NIV
What’s a DoAhead to do?
Recognize it and then——–
Offer thanks!
Thanks for the unbelievable gift we’ve been given in the form of God’s indwelling spirit!
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV
When life pummels and deals hard blows I know what to do now.
Close my eyes so I can see.
And then I’ll start to box.
My mind’s eye will recognize truth.
There is an enemy and He is real. But the one who lives in me and fights for me is greater.
And He is good. His goodness and promises for the future lend hope when the Vaseline over my eye isn’t enough to keep lacerations from landing.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18
{I hope you’ll hop over to Suzie Eller’s #livefree site for more inspirational thought on shadow boxing!}
***Breaking News!
Twenty minutes after writing this post I had the opportunity to grab my gloves.
An “enemy” launched wounding words. Their right-upper cut caught me off guard. But God graciously put the words of this post before me.
The view in my mind helped me identify my true sparring partner and it wasn’t the person in front of me. Instead of responding with a left hook, shadow boxing taught me to see myself fighting the real enemy.
The minute I began focusing on God’s faithfulness toward me and His love toward the other person the true enemy tucked tail and ran. My mental sparring allowed me to keep my mouth shout (a counter-intuitive maneuver on my part). Pardon me, while I blow a little chalk off my gloves.
Your DoAhead Friend,
Knowing the struggle is coming makes it so important to prepare. Thank you for highlighting this necessary skill. It’s funny how I let struggles surprise me when really, I should be anticipating them as a means to allow God’s glory to shine through me. Thank you, Cindy!
So true Samantha! I mean seriously…20 minutes after I wrote the post. There it was. In my face. “Lord Jesus train us and make us ready!” Genuinely grateful for your presence!
I love how different we all are! Your post is so similar and yet opposite of Suzie’s, and both are SPOT ON! Thank you for this perspective on #shadowboxing, Cindy! Love love the concept of using it as a visionary tool! #livefreeThursday
One of the many reasons I love linking up with Suzie…somehow “spot on” is where she guides us. So grateful. 🙂
Great post, Cindy. I like the idea of shadow boxing as a visionary tool. Keeping the right perspective is so important. And remembering that “the one who lives in me and fights for me is greater.”
No one needs it more than I. #PreachingItToMyself (Thanks for stopping over!)
I love it when the Word meets the enemy right where he stands. I love it when we take the Word and live it in real life, just as it’s intended. Thanks for the update. Thanks for linking up.
Shadow Boxing….something I need to start doing 🙂 Sometimes I let those struggles and the real enemy get the better of me.
You and me both Renee…you and me both! (So glad you stopped by. 🙂 )
Let’s not listen to the enemy and let’s never quit the fight.
Happy weekend!
Happy weekend to you too!!
Love your encouraging and uplifting perspective in this article, Cindy. Especially this: There is an enemy and He is real. But the one who lives in me and fights for me is greater. AMEN!