I have always loved Hebrews 12:1-2!
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I would quote these two verses while I ran and it gave me some motivation when it didn’t hurt. But then came the discomfort and pain… I would complain and grumble about how I hated running and asking God why He called me into running and on and on. I was tired and running out of “ump” to keep going.
One day as I read Hebrews 12:1-2, verse 3 seemed to jump off the page at me.
For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind.
I was like “Wow!”
God called me into the running space, why? I do not yet have an answer, but I have this burning desire inside of me, especially this year, to run and to see what I am capable of. Therefore in my faintness and weary heart I was able to relate so much to Jesus in verse three. He endured pain and suffering for me, for you, worst than any of us could ever imagine. He was separated from His Father, humiliated, treated unfairly and unjustly, hurt and torn.
I began quoting this verse to myself as I ran and as I would think about what Christ endured for me it would give me this energy and strength that I didn’t know I had. It helped me to push past the pain. To push past the weariness. To keep going even when it got hard.
Since running is 80% mental it makes sense to conquer the mind so your body is free to run. It makes sense to step outside of ourselves and think of someone else. Not only does this remind me of what Jesus went through it also reminds me that Jesus loves me! A lot of people have doubts that Jesus loves them. They figure if He loved them they would have what they pray for and be void of troubles. But we seem to forget the benefits of going through an injury, going through a trial, and going through suffering, it is actually a gift, something to be grateful for!
In the next blog post I will be sharing what I learned through an injury and how changing our perspective through trials will actually make us stronger in the end. But for now, I pray you will find strength in teaching yourself the gospel and realizing your pain comes nowhere near what Jesus went through for you.
Love Ya’ll, See ya soon!
Happy Running!
Be Still and Run 