“You will know someone who loses their life from the COVID-19 virus.” This was a post on Facebook I read just two short weeks ago. It was a post shared from a Facebook friend from a reputable source. I scoffed at the time thinking it was just a scare tactic.

Here we are two weeks later, and thankfully I don’t know anyone personally who has lost their life to this virus, but I know there are many people who know someone who has. My heart goes out to them.

Thoughts and Prayers

My first thoughts and prayers are for the families who have lost loved ones.

My next thoughts and prayers go to the ones who are currently ill with this virus and all of the health care providers who are taking care of the sick. I pray they recover fully and can go on with their lives normally.

My next thoughts and prayers goes to the people whose lives are turned upside down economically. This is a devastating time for so many industries, particularly the service industries.

I think of all the theme parks closing across the country, the restaurants, bars, movie theaters, sports arenas. The list goes on.

Getting Very Real

It got very real for me the other night when I heard there was a mandatory closure of all gyms for at least the next thirty days and possibly more.

My personal training business was starting to thrive. I have twenty loyal clients, many of them who have been training with me for two years or more.

I knew I was taking a risk leaving my pharmaceutical job for the uncharted territory of being an entrepreneur. I knew there would be financial risk and uncertainty. It is a faith journey for sure.

I would be lying if my mind hasn’t wandered back to my pharmaceutical days. During this uncertain time, I would love to have the certainty of having a regular pay check. That sounds pretty good right about now.

But I also know that’s not what I was called to do. I was called to pick up my cross, follow Jesus, and start a fitness ministry and that is what I am going to continue to do.

Be In Community

There is a need now more than ever to be in community.

There is a need now more than ever to have a daily practice of mind, body and spirit.

There is a need now more than ever to have a sense of purpose in a world that doesn’t really make much sense right now.

The name of my blog is called Lift Your Spirit. I am writing to you today as your fitness minister to lift your spirit. To give you hope.

Proverbs 3:5–6 comes to my mind repeatedly during these uncertain times. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart: do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Trust in the Lord

That is what I am choosing to do right now. To trust in the LORD. To seek his will. To serve. To lead.

We are asked to have social distancing in our lives right now. I 100% support that. But that doesn’t have to mean social isolation.

Technology can be used for connection.

Prayer can be used for connection.

Ultimately, we are all connected vertically to God and horizontally to one another.

God put it on my heart just a few short months ago to start an online men’s fitness ministry. Everything is in place to minister to men in a unique way through the integration of faith and fitness.

We are united as brothers in this community.

We have a daily practice of mind, body and spirit training.

We support one another in living a life or purpose.

A New Possibility

I want to invite you to a new possibility during this time of social distancing that we draw closer to God and our brothers in Christ through Barbells and Brothers. We all stand together as warriors during these uncertain times.

I want to invite you to try a free trial for two weeks and see if this community is for you. You can sign up for the free trial here.

In these uncertain times, let’s depend not on our own understanding. Let’s trust in the Lord with all of our heart.

Troy Ismir, MS

Fitness Minister

Founder and Creator of Barbells & Brothers