Going the Distance

It's so funny to write about my little victory today, but I'm learning that my little victories are what God uses to make big victories in my life.

Running has always been a struggle for me. I hate it. I know I should do it, but I never enjoy doing it at all. I really wanted to get in shape this summer, so I'm attempting to run daily. So far I successfully ran twice. lol Hey, it's still progress!

While I run I'm normally so negative. I have such a "ugh! Why am I doing this?!" attitude and it becomes such a burden for me to endure it. I can do short sprints or run hard for a little bit, but not very long. I would always be down on myself, because I knew I could do better and wish I had pushed myself harder.

But today before I ran, God revealed my negative mindset to me. He's been showing me lately the power of my thinking patterns, and how negative thinking affects my life. I never thought that being negative while running was really such a burden to me, but it really was! I would dread it before and struggle through it while I was doing it, and constantly stop to walk never really benefiting from it.

So I decided to do something different this time. I prayed. Yes, I prayed about running. But God is such a loving God that he wants to hear about every little detail of our lives, even physical exercise. Thus, I asked for Jesus strength and the holy spirit to take control of my mind and help me to endure.

Guys, I'm not exaggerating, but it was the most energizing run I have ever experienced! People at the park probably thought I was the biggest creep because I couldn't stop smiling! I even clapped and pointed to the God several times (if you haven't learned yet, I tend to be on the dramatic side). But it was such a victory I couldn't help but praise him!

That's the God we serve! He cares enough to help me on a simple run and hold me the entire way!! Man! He's crazy! The entire time I ran, I kept reciting Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through CHRIST who gives me strength."

That's right. ALL THINGS. Not some things. Not just big things, but ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST.

He wants to strengthen us. He really does. Try it this week. Ask God to help renew your mind through the power of the Holy Spirit ,and then ask Jesus to release his strength. You will be surprised with the outcome.

Through Christ we can have the power to do ALL THINGS. Only through his loving strength :)