Running The Race: Tough Parts

My previous post talked about how exciting and simple the beginning of a race seems. Unfortunately, after the race has started and you have a few miles under your belt, the ease seems to evaporate. When sweat is pouring from your forehead and you're faced with a daunting hill, you might start to question why you ever decided to run the race at all.

As the apostle Paul pointed out several times in his epistles, the life of a disciple of Christ is quite similar to a running race. This, unfortunately, means that a Christian's life will have tough parts. We'll experience fatigue, pain, and perhaps question our decision to ever run this race.

"In this world, you will have trouble." - John 16:33

This is one of the most difficult to swallow promises that Jesus makes. We love promises about God's faithfulness and mercy, but this promise is just as true as the rest of them. As sure as a runner will break a sweat, a true disciple of Christ will experience trouble.

We can learn from running how to deal with these times of trouble. When we approach a trial with a godly point of view, it is a blessing rather than a hindrance. Running, just like any other form of exercise, it makes you stronger. The same principle applies to our Christian lives. James tells us to "consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 2:2-3) We develop spiritual endurance and perseverance by enduring those "hills". Again, Psalm 119:71 tells us a similar story:

"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."

Our suffering, though painful, provides us a chance to grow and learn more about God. Without affliction, we can't experience God's healing. Without being broken by sin, we can't fully understand His grace. Taking this mindset can provide a major advantage in getting through our trials.

When tackling a steep hill while running, the runner's attitude can make the difference between making it to the top of the hill or collapsing halfway up. In terms of racing, I've been trained to think about reaching the top and coasting down the other side as opposed to thinking about the pain of going up. Similarly, when life puts a hill in your way, you have a choice to focus on the problem or focus on God pulling you through.

The story of David and Goliath has been beaten to death so much that it's a cliche for overcoming trials. But the method used by David to overcome his giant is the same one you and I can use. He focused on God and not on the giant. When all of Israel's army was looking at Goliath and his size, they were terrified and unable to defeat him. But David steps in, and he doesn't talk about Goliath. He talks about God.

"I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel... This is the day the Lord will hand you over to me... the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel... the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give all of you into our hands" - 1 Samuel 17:45-47

In the passage above, I've bolded each time David mentions God. Seven times in once speech. How many times do the other soldiers mention God? Zero. They're too busy worrying about how big Goliath is. When you forget God and focus on the problem, you often get paralyzed with fear and can't defeat the giant. But when you focus on God, your Goliath doesn't stand a chance. God is massive! If you're staring at Him, any hill in your way will look tiny in comparison.

Another strategy that many runners use when tackling hills is to change their stride. They slow down a little and take shorter strides. This helps them maintain their energy to make it through. When life gives you a hill, slow down. Rest!

Without rest, we have no peace.

"I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” - Job 3:26

"Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest."- Psalm 55:5-6

God has designed us to rest, in fact He commands us to take a day of rest. Daily, we are invited to rest in Him. This is even more important during times of struggle.

"My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." - Exodus 33:14

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28-29

When you reach the tough parts of this Christian "run", make sure you slow down, focus on God, and experience His rest. Earlier, I mentioned Jesus' promise from John 16:33, that we would experience trouble in this world. The beautiful part comes at the end of that verse: "But take heart! I have overcome the world". God won't flatten your hills for you, but he'll help push you to the top.