Should I? Should I Not? Ever had this run through your mind when making a decision? If you’re anything like me you have and multiple times, maybe even every hour for weeks on end! I know how complicated making decisions can be, but during these times of confusion and uncertainty it has drawn me closer and closer to Christ. I hate being confused and not knowing what is going to happen is even worse. I get so stressed out if I do not have a plan for the day and then I hate sitting around when I’m tired with an ever growing list of things I need to do.
During my run today, my goal was to possibly run a straight 5k. After taking a month off, I had slumped back quite a few miles and to top it off I was running in some fog and sweating like a pig, so I know the humidity had something to do with the difficulty I was having. Nonetheless, I was not going to give up easily, but my muscles and lungs did not agree with my head. I was debating on whether I wanted to push myself or be smart and just go with a lighter intensity. I stopped a few times to massage a couple tight spots on my leg and with a mile left I decided to stop and pray.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 1:5-6
I asked Him to help me make the last mile without stopping. I don’t remember exactly what He said but it was something like, “Why do you always ask me to do things for you? I gave you the strength, it’s already in you. You just need to train.” I then felt like He grabbed my hand, smiled, and said, “Let’s go!”
Lately, I always ask the Lord to run with me, to protect me, and to teach me. He has not one time failed me. A few weeks ago, after reading about Ryan Hall, (of which I would highly recommend you look him and his wife Sara up if you don’t know who they are), I also asked God to be my coach. I would love to pay for a physical coach but the Lord has not made that a possibility right now. This situation has pushed me to listen to my body, listen for God’s direction, and study quite a bit. Not only has training for impossible “runs” strengthened my body, it has also strengthened my faith in God.
We as humans with finite minds will never know everything. But God is infinite and He has promised to give us wisdom if we ask and believe that He will answer. But the problem is, once He does give us the direction, sometimes we still doubt, or fear takes hold on us in such a way that we cannot move forward.
We all have fear but where has that gotten us so far? Fear has torment and is the main thing that the enemy uses to control us. Think back to decisions you have made. Did fear have any deciding factor in your final decision? It’s time we let go of the fear and realize just how much potential we have without it.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
To be continued…
Be Still and Run 