Embracing Uncertainty

“Uncertainty is the mark of a spiritual life.”  This is a quote from one of my favorite authors, John Eldredge.   The amount of risk you are willing to take is a reflection of how much you trust God. 

Embracing uncertainty has certainly been a journey for me.  It has taken me many years to get to the point of being courageous enough to take a huge risk.  If you have been following my journey you know I recently moved to Colorado after leaving my 6 figure job in pharmaceuticals along with all of the benefits that go along with that. 

But here was the problem.  I was bored and boredom is a very dangerous place for a man.  Fortunately, I was grounded enough in my faith and surrounded myself with strong Christian men that kept me focused on what truly is important in life.  

What kept me grounded was having a transcendent cause greater than myself.   My cause has been sharing my passion for my faith and fitness and through this, helping people see the possibilities for their own life. 

My mission in my life over the last several years has been to reclaim my inner warrior.  That warrior side that I had as a boy growing up and as a young man who played football in college. 

But as we all know, life can knock us down and beat the warrior out of us.  I had lost my inner warrior along the way while being in a bad marriage and lacking a strong faith and identity in Christ. 

My journey that I have been on is reclaiming my inner warrior and becoming a master of self.  To train each and every day physically, mentally and spiritually as if my life depends on it, because it does.   The only way I can make a difference in someone else’s life is if I master my own. 

This journey has led me to Colorado.  I moved here without having a job and taking a leap of faith that God would open doors for me through my faithfulness and boy did he ever. 

I start my new role on Monday as the Fitness Director at Miramont Lifestyle Fitness.  It has thousands of members at 4 different sites and an extremely talented group of fitness professionals that I am blessed enough to now be part of. 

I have been working out at this gym for years on my vacations to Colorado and have always thought this is one of the best health clubs in the country and now I get to play a role in making it even better.

This is a shining example of how God works out everything for good.   God has been shaping and preparing me for this leadership role for some time now.   I trace it back to the decision I made about 7 years ago while sitting at C3 church, in the midst of a painful divorce and making the commitment that I would use every ounce of pain that I was in at the time to do good, to make a difference in the world. 

I want to encourage you on your journey of self-mastery.   It’s a process that never ends, but it is one well worth taking.  God wants our whole life surrendered to him and he will keep knocking on the door until we decide to give him every part of our life. 

My friends, I believe this life of risk and uncertainty is worth taking.  As I am learning, living a life of uncertainty is the only way to live.   As Teddy Roosevelt encourages us through one of his famous quotes to get in the arena, get a little sweaty and bloody.  If you are going to fail, fail greatly.   That is why we were put here on earth.  To get in the game, to be spiritually alive, to live a life of fulfillment and purpose all for the glory of God. 

Troy Ismir, MS

Spiritual Warrior