Pushing Through PainSample

I don’t know if you are one of those people who like working out. (If that’s you, I don’t know if we can be friends, just kidding!) Like most people in the world, I hate exercise and would rather take a lap around my subdivision and call it a day than jump on a treadmill.  

But a couple of years ago, I went through a phase where I worked out ALL the time (mainly for the childcare). On the days where I was feeling adventurous and thought I should run on the treadmill, I would usually start out feeling strong, and then half a mile in, I would find myself wanting to give up and use the rest of my childcare time in the hot tub.

You may be meditating on my lack of athleticism at this point, but I share this with you because when it comes to choosing endurance through pain, it is easy to want to push the "cool down" button and throw in the towel.

I don’t want this for me, and I don’t want this for you when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. I want us to be people that no matter the situations we find ourselves in, we push through and keep running our race to win.  

In the book of Hebrews, Paul compares our Christian walk to a race but not just any race. It’s a race to Heaven where multitudes that have gone on before are cheering us on to the finish line, which is eternity with Jesus.   

I don’t know what your pace or race looks like but do not give up!  It’s not about being the fastest or the flashiest. What matters to God is that you finish.

Challenge: Are there things in your life that are in the way of you finishing strong or that are slowing you down? What is one thing you could change in your life to build more endurance in your faith?