I have always loved Hebrews 12:1-2 as a runner! Running is a huge parallel to Christianity and these verses reaffirmed my observation.
“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.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
I don’t remember when it was or what the circumstances where around the entire day but I always thought that the running section stopped at the period in verse two. But when I saw verse three after multiple years of running it was like a light bulb moment. Verse three went with verse one and two in a special way. I’ve often thought that Paul must have been a runner at some point because he uses this sport as an analogy in multiple passages and seems to know a lot about it. Verse three talks about 80% of a runners battle – the mind! Look at what he says.
“For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Hebrews 12:3
Doesn’t that just scream truth?!
In this month’s Mid-Month Motivation Podcast, I talk about the power of using this verse to become a better runner both Physically and Spiritually so check it out on your favorite platform or search for it using the link below. I’ll figure out one of these days how to upload the actual episode to a post so there is no searching involved, but this is the best I can do in the meantime, so enjoy.
Points:
- Our minds have so much power it’s unbelievable.
- Focusing on Christ gives us the energy to accomplish His will.
- You are what you think just like you are what you eat.
- Your mind controls whether you are weak and faint.
Challenge Time!
In the episode I talked about how you can divide your thoughts up and see if it corresponds with the life you want to live, and if it matches with how you are living now.
- Write down as many thoughts as you can think of that run through your mind on a daily basis.
- On a separate piece of paper, draw two columns – one for righteous and true thoughts and another for evil and spiritually dead thoughts
- Divide your thoughts from sheet one into the two columns on sheet two.
- Does the column with the most thoughts give you a glimpse into why you may be struggling or thriving in your Christian life?
- Consider praying about what you see on both sheets using the following ideas.
- Ask God for understanding to see why your life and character might be the way it is.
- Ask Him for forgiveness for thinking thoughts from the enemy more than thoughts from Him if that has been the case.
- Ask Him for grace to start thinking godly thoughts
- Ask Him for grace to meditate on truth and scripture.
- Share your heart with Him without holding anything back. Be completely honest because He already knows anyway.
- Take action by His grace! Don’t take it upon yourself to change your thoughts. Scripture says you can’t do anything without Christ, but you can do all things through Him, so be sure to ask Him to do this work through and in you. (See John 15:5 and Philippians 4:13)
Listen to Novembers Mid-Month Motivation (MMM) on the Be Still and Run by Alli Anne podcast using your favorite platform or by using the link below to search for it.
May God bless you as you continue to seek Him! Until next time, Happy Running!
Up Next: Stop Getting Injured! Incorporate these three things into your life to minimize the injuries so you can continue doing what you love
#44 Missing Something? – Be Still And Run by Alli Anne
Be Still and Run 