The other day I jumped on the treadmill in my usual way but I was struggling with the energy and will power to see my workout through to the end. This wasn’t a workout to compete with Mr. America but rather a focus on trying to firm up some of those not-so-firm areas. On this particular day I found myself paying close attention to the timer on the device and painfully calculating in my mind how much time was left in completing my exercises. I was well attuned to the complaining of my muscles and the low sense of energy. But something stirred within me strongly suggesting that I should and could finish the race. I had to turn my thinking in a different direction.
Stop thinking painfully of the distance yet to run and the time to completion. I had to mentally lift my spirits and think of successfully completing the event at hand. I started to give myself some pump-me-up positive thinking and a refocus of charging ahead. Rather than focusing on the pain and the time left (although I would still occasionally peak) I now had greater resolve to stay focused on the goal ahead anticipating my sense of accomplishment and celebration.
Can you relate? It may not be working out that is the challenge but maybe accomplishing a project you may even disdain. Maybe it is some tedious chore that you repetitively have to do but then on a certain day you just don’t want to do it. Maybe it is interacting with someone you don’t want to get with on a particular day or maybe you don’t even like the person. Struggling relationships are certainly challenging and we often want to ignore them.
Admittedly a big part of my overcoming that morning workout had to do with prayer. I turned that physical workout into a spiritual workout. I drew Jesus into my grumbling self and called on Him for assistance. Sure enough while focusing on Him, He showed up! Or should I say, I opened my eyes (and heart) and He lifted me up helping me refocus and persevere.
In challenging relationships, I have found prayer and my drawing Jesus into the situation also an incredible help. When I do that I know that I am not alone and thinking about “What Would Jesus Do” lightens my load. In every situation, relational, sickness, physical exhaustion, spiritual, or whatever, it is important to understand that they are all spiritual situations.
Those are not brief spiritual moments in our physical lives. Our lives are but brief human experiences in an eternal spiritual life. You and I are made to overcome especially if we call our creator into our struggles. Our key to overcoming is focusing on the one who unconditionally loves us and has all the answers. He wants to lift us up if we are just open to receiving Him. He calls us to persevere. He gives power to the faint, abundant strength to the weak. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on the eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. (Is 40:29-31)
Society is quick to judge and call us losers. God calls us blessed and calls us home to the finish line in communion with Him and the rewards He has for us. Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12: 1-2a).
Also, as St. Paul told the Thessalonians, “Pray without ceasing” (1Thes 5:17). Pray, pray, pray. Run, run, run, the race in and for the Lord. Whether driving down the road, working out, at work, in church, everywhere, Pray without ceasing! Bring the Lord into all you do and He will continue to grace you, hold you up, and help you Shine Like the Son. God bless you.
