Push Ahead

Push Ahead

During this serious stage of a race, discouragement can set in. Just a few miles earlier, we were feeling good and moving along at the desired pace. But now we’re weary in body and spirit. Our legs feel heavy, our breathing is labored, and we know we have a long way to the finish. Doubts nibble at our resolve, and we begin to consider quitting as an option. That’s when we need to be mentally and emotionally tough and to dig deep. We’ve made it this far in our training, and we know we can do it here. We will endure to the end.

Making it through this stage of a race and of life takes confidence and resolve, knowing where our strength lies. Centuries ago, the apostle Paul was languishing in prison, awaiting his trial and his eventual execution. Paul didn’t know what the future would hold for him, but he knew the one who held his future. So he could write with confidence, “God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News. That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return” (2 Timothy 1:11-12).

Paul was confident of his relationship with God. He also knew the source of his strength. Earlier he had written, “This is the secret: Christ lives in you. . . . That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me” (Colossians 1:27, 29)

The Runner

Melanie was prepared for this race; she really was, having trained for several weeks, following a schedule recommended by a multi-marathon runner. She had run this race by the book, warming up, starting slow, hydrating early, applying Vaseline where needed, and keeping to her planned pace at the appropriate intervals. And she had felt fine . . . until about the mile seventeen marker. And now she was weakening and wondering if she’d make it. Eight miles to go, and she felt like crud. She could almost hear the voices whispering . . .

“The weather is too warm; no wonder you’re sapped!”

“Hey, you did the best you could, and no one would blame you if you stopped now. Don’t kill yourself!”

“You’ll . . . never . . . make . . . it.”

But then Melanie remembered what Shelley, another marathon-running friend, had told her—this would happen, but she could make it through. And Melanie thought of Philippians 4:13, a favorite Bible verse and one she had memorized as a kid: “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” She began to repeat it over and over in her head.

Slowly Melanie began to regain her confidence as she called on those spiritual, emotional, and physical reserves. And she ran, one stride after the other and one mile at a time . . . enduring to the end.

The Race

Hardships come in many forms. In running, it might be a leg cramp, a stitch in the side, a spot rubbed raw, overwhelming weariness, or a combination of all of these—but we keep pushing ahead toward our goal. In life, we can experience physical, emotional, relational, mental, financial, and even spiritual tough times. As we struggle along with blurred vision, we may begin to lose hope. Just as Melanie did in her marathon, we need to remember God’s promises and rely on his strength to run his race and to run well.

The Result

When you trusted Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit took up residence in you. So God’s “mighty power” is available to you moment by moment—power to change, to endure, to persevere, to resist, to overcome, and to make a difference. Whatever your hardship or challenge, call on those reserves and run in his strength.

My Story

Marathons are 26.2 miles of life-changing excitement, dedicated work, deep determination, and faith that many months of disciplined training will see you to the finish line. It is a choice to train and run. Some will fall away from the challenge as the reality takes shape.

Life’s marathons are a different sort. We usually never sign up, the finish line is not really in sight, and yet they, too, can be physically and emotionally grueling. At those times, when things become really hard, we see some fall away who desire an instant miracle with no personal cost.

For me, these life marathons are a process as well. Generally, things will start out feeling comfortable. As the days unfold and the hills become higher, the valleys deeper, the twists and turns may bring no relief or end in sight. This is when I know I must draw upon my faith to keep going. When the desire to endure seems overwhelming, God will bring encouragement. My hope in him provides strength to keep moving forward one step at a time. The days I can’t run I will walk by faith, not by sight. I know there is always a personal cost and always a reward, yet I won’t necessarily recognize the finish line when I cross it. The process evolves, and I am forever changed by it.

Becky W.

Think It Through

1. When you’ve been in the “serious stage” of a race, how have you handled the feelings of discouragement and thoughts of quitting? What kept you going?

2. When have you experienced God’s power and strength in your life?

3. What hardships or challenges are you facing right now?

4. What can you do to push through and push forward with hope?

On Running

What causes fatigue?

Fatigue can be caused by any number of factors. During a medium-distance run, the cause can be high amounts of lactic acid (inhibiting the breakdown of glycogen—a type of carbohydrate) and high oxygen debt (not enough oxygen is getting to the muscles). This type of fatigue can take as many as two to three days for recovery. In marathon races, the cause is usually lack of carbohydrates. By consuming carbohydrates during the race, you can reduce fatigue. A carbohydrate diet after a workout will prepare your body for your next workout and keep you from becoming tired early.