Building Spiritual Muscle

I have learned that buidling spiritual muscle is much like building physical strength; it is most difficult when we are really out of shape and start doing it again after a long absence from the spiritual gym.  But just as the effort is more difficult in the beginning, the results are that much more dramatic. It also just comes upon us gradually...like one day after weeks and months of physical training, we notice the difference in our bodies.  In spiritual fitness, things that seemed difficult suddenly work themselves out.  We feel a sense of peace without knowing why. We begin to see a change long after it has occurred.