It’s Not Over!

I recently started my running journey in April of this year. When I added this new routine to my schedule it started off with me walking and running intervals. Seeing that I can go the distance made me want to continue with this journey. I started my running journey when I found out my mom was diagnosed with heart disease. I wanted to do natural things that would prevent the history of heart disease in my life.

Recently, my daughter and I were in Raleigh, North Carolina. I figure I would still run 2 miles a day while I was there. So, I set out to run my miles until I came upon the hills. I was not used to running up hills at all!!! Those hills almost had me in second guessing if I really wanted to run during my time there. However, I still set out to run. I pushed my way through those hills even those everything in me wanted to stop. I had physically given all that I had and was only able to hit a mile a day. I was a little bummed out that I didn’t hit my goal of 2 miles, but I rejoiced in the fact that I at least completed a full mile.

Once I came back home and began to run, I felt good about it. I was at a good pace. My breathing was good. I was at a mile and a half and felt like I could easily hit 3 miles! Once I got to 1.7 miles that feeling of hitting the 3-mile marker quickly faded. I was just battling in my mind if I was going to make it the last .3 miles. I thought about being in North Carolina and not being about to complete my goal there. All these thoughts of not making it begin to consume my mind then the Holy Spirit reminded me that I’ve done it before, and I could do it again. He reminded me that I was capable before and I’m still capable now. This lit a fire in me! These thoughts quickly shifted from the natural side of running to the spiritual battles in life. I began to listen to Holy Spirit, and I finished my run at the 2-mile marker. After I finished, I was completely exhausted. This was an exhaustion I’ve never felt before. I thought about calling my husband and having him come pick me up! I didn’t think I had anything left in me, but I still have 1.5 miles to walk back to my house. Then the Holy Spirit began to minister to me more. He told me now is not the time to sit down and take a break. Now is not the time to quit or give in. Now is the time to walk it off. Now is the time to regroup. I was looking at it naturally, but Holy Spirit was ministering to me in the spirit. I want to speak those same words of encouragement to you. Now is not the time to give up. Now is the time to regroup. Now is the time to re-strategize. The bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 that the enemy is walking about seeking whom he can devour. Now is not the time to take a break. We must figure out a different approach. Figure out a different plan. Don’t allow tiredness, fear, anxiety, or the feeling of inadequacy make you a mark for enemy to devour. NEWS FLASH!!! We are all inadequate without Jesus. We are all tired without Jesus. We are all overcome with anxiety and fear without Jesus, but with Him we more than conquerors. With Jesus there is a vision. With Jesus we have a life that has been predestined. We have been chosen by Him. So don’t give up. Allow the Holy Spirit to encourage you and lead you. The 2-mile run I completed today was completed as my best time yet.

I want to encourage you today. Don’t quit! You’re too close to your goals! You’re too close to dreams! You’re too close to your breakthroughs! With Jesus you have everything you need. You have endurance. You have confidence. You have fight left in you! You are able because He is able. Keep going. Keep pressing in. Keep moving.