Seeing my teammates lift heavier each week would motivate me to lift heavier. This back and forth pushing and striving toward a goal worked out for all of our good. If it had just been each of us lifting on our own, I highly doubt we would have gotten as strong as we did by the end of the year.

Similarly, we should constantly be looking for godly men and women to push us in our faith. If we want that in our sport, how much more should we want that in Christ-likeness! This good fight of the faith is tough, and we can get easily discouraged by trials and failures.

When I think of iron sharpening iron, I think of not only the end result but the process. The process is intense and rough. Through the process of rubbing two iron blades together, the end result is that both blades are sharper and more efficient in their ability to cut.

God may have some people around us whom we don’t want to have as friends in our lives but need to have: A friend who will tell you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear; A friend who will be there when you need them, when you just want to be alone; A friend who will encourage you to look to God when all you want to do is be as far as possible from Him.

Gain a friend who cares more about your soul than hurting your feelings. Find someone who will push you to be more like Christ.

Reflect: Are there godly men and women I can surround myself with? How can I sharpen the brothers and sisters around me? What areas in my faith could I grow in?