Be Consistent and Committed we

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

In an amazing story of prolonged perseverance, it was reported that Gabe Rainwater of Fresno completed his 20th consecutive Mohican 100-Mile Trail Run in Loudonville, becoming only the sixth runner in event history to reach that milestone and the youngest to do so. Amazing right?

The Mohican 100 is one of the Midwest’s premier ultramarathons, challenging runners to cover 100 miles of rugged trails through the Mohican State Forest and surrounding area.

Runners must complete the course within 32 hours to earn an official finish and buckle. Two hundred runners started the 2026 challenge but only 87 crossed the finished line.

As a result of reaching 20 career finishes, Rainwater was awarded the coveted 2,000-Mile Buckle.

Rainwater’s streak began in 2006 and has continued uninterrupted for two decades. Over those years, he has navigated extreme heat, mud, storms and the physical and mental challenges. His accomplishment reflects not only endurance and athletic ability, but also consistency and commitment, according to the release.

And, you know, when it comes to our spiritual race, the Bible is very clear that the road to the finish line will be filled with mental and physical challenges as well—challenges so great that it will require commitment and consistency to overcome them.

This is something Paul made clear when he wrote to the church at Corinth and said "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

This single verse highlights exactly why consistency matters on our faith journey, which is a journey that begins the day we accept Jesus as our Savior and only ends when we see Him face to face.

Hence the reason Paul exhorted the Corinthians to "Be steadfast." Paul wanted them (and us) to be faithful to the Lord and to his teaching about the Lord—in essence keeping a faithfulness “streak” of uninterrupted loyalty, fidelity, and devotion to God.

Furthermore, because Paul was concerned about the Corinthians' tendency to compromise their behavior and even their beliefs for the sake of the culture in which they lived, Paul told them to be "immovable.” 

This applies even more to us today, in a time when we see many believers start the race but fail to finish the race—because they went off course by compromising to “fit in” with the culture to avoid being “cancelled.” Don’t be that person! Don't let a moment of temporary weakness and temptation keep you from reaping the eternal rewards that come with remaining firmly fixed, faithful, and unyielding in purpose. 

And lastly, Paul exhorted them to always be “abounding in the work of the Lord,” because that is the only work that will produce fruit that will last for eternity, compared to so much of life’s work that ceases to have meaning in years, days, or even minutes. This “knowing,” he hoped, would fill them with the enthusiasm and unwavering commitment that would cause them to be plentifully, richly, and amptly productive each and every day and over a lifetime.

So, be committed and consistent my friend, knowing that “your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Be steadfast. Be immovable. And stay in the race until the end confident that your efforts will produce abundant fruit that will last infinitely longer than a 2,000 mile belt buckle will.

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that this road will not be easy. And thank You for the words of Paul that remind us that we WILL go through trials and tribulations. Help us to have the steadfastness of our Savior Jesus Christ when this happens Lord, so that we will never back down but continue running until the final finish line. In Your precious name, we pray Jesus. amen.

Happy Running!

True Faith Can’t be Destroyed

"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— " 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NKJV

In a heartbreaking story titled “Husband of slain runner pleads for tips for wife whose faith drove her” published last week, the writer said Oluwabukola Pereira-Showole, who went by Bukola or Bukky, was fatally shot May 8 in Lockland. Witnesses say she was chasing a man who robbed the auto business where Pereira-Showole was a manager.

Now, nearly a month after her death, no arrests have been made. Showole said on June 5 that her family is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect.

Bukola was an elite runner on the Nigeria's national track team. She came to the United States and competed at several colleges across the country and previously won the Flying Pig 5K. She was preparing to graduate from Xavier University on May 16 with her second master's degree before she was gunned down.

"Her faith was the engine that drove her," Showole said outside Vineyard Cincinnati Church in Springdale, where a celebration of Bukola's life will be held next week.

He said his wife would wake up every morning and pray. When he made a mistake, she showed him instant forgiveness. At home, he always knew where was in the house because he could hear her singing gospel songs....

"This person has ripped apart a significant part of our lives, but he has not destroyed our faith in the grace of the Lord," he said. "This person needs to come forward and repent for this great sin."

Showole said that Bukola brought pure joy to their home and loved his twin son and daughter like they were her own.

"As Christians, we say the Bible is God's love letter to humanity," he said. "For me, Bukola is God's personal love letter to me."

And, you know, as tragic as this story is, it serves as a reminder that, although we, as believers, might face trials that cause us to feel "hard-pressed on every side," these trials will not crush us. 
We might experience sorrows and face circumstances that cause us to feel completely baffled, but we have no reason to ever be discouraged. 

We might be afflicted and oppressed for our faith, but we can remain confident that God will never abandon or desert us. We might even suffer devastating blows, but we can remain calm, steadfast, and courageous in the face of adversity and life’s difficulties, knowing that we will be divinely preserved. 

This means our faith in the grace of the Lord can remain unwavering and strong in the midst of a chaotic world and the ripping apart of portions of our lives. 

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'" John 16:33

Why? Because we have "God's love letter to humanity," that gives us peace and comfort in all situations. In this love letter known as the Bible, our Savior promised this… "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 

Did you get that "will" part?  That means, it's not a matter of if we will have trouble but when. 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17  

Furthermore, since we know that ALL Scripture is inspired by God, we know that we can count on ALL the promises of God. 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you." Isaiah 43:2

"that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ," 1 Peter 1:7

This includes the beautiful promise found in Isaiah 43:2 that tells us "when" we go through overwhelming emotions, chaotic circumstances, and life's sudden crises (the waters and the rivers) that cause us to fear we will drown, God will be with us and keep us afloat. 

And "when" we experience intense periods of testing, persecution, or severe suffering (the fire), we can be confident that "the genuineness" of our faith, "though it is tested by fire" will be divinely preserved for eternity, showing that true faith can never be destroyed. This ultimately brings glory to God and will be rewarded by Jesus Christ upon His return. 

So, no matter what you're going through today, take hold of the promises in the Bible my friend. Read them thoroughly and commit them to memory so that "when" the day of trouble comes, you won't be shaken and your faith in the grace of the Lord will not be destroyed. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives us comfort, guidance, peace, instruction, and so much more. Compel us to read it each and every day Lord that we might be equipped for every good work and ready for every trial that we will face. We pray for the Showole family today God. May they feel your peace and may Bukky's legacy of faithfulness (her well-worn Bible is pictured above) live on and inspire others to seek Christ in the same way that she did. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Make it your Objective to Finish

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24 NKJV

In a recent heartwarming story titled “This 90-Year-Old Runner Just Finished His First Marathon After Rediscovering Running Later in Life,” it was reported that Bill Schwarz completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon, inspiring countless runners along the way.

At 90, Bill Schwarz just took on his first marathon at Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego on May 31. And while he didn’t officially finish within the race’s time limit, he still covered the full 26.2-mile distance, which is more than enough to be impressed by.

A spokesperson for Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series confirmed to Runner’s World that Schwarz completed the marathon in a little over nine hours, though not inside the official cutoff window…

Schwarz wasn’t new to running, either. He told Run Outside that he first began running in high school in the ’50s and found his way back to the sport more seriously after his wife died. What began as a way to “give [his] life a purpose again” eventually grew into 5Ks, half marathons, and then the idea of attempting a full marathon.

“My objective is to finish,” Schwarz said to Run Outside before the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon. “And whatever time it takes, it’s going to be wonderful.”

And, you know, when it comes to goals, the objective of every believer (whether new or old to the faith) should be to finish their "race with joy," letting nothing move them from the mission (no matter how long it takes) "to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." 

This was something that Paul understood and expressed during his final missionary journey chronicled in Acts 20—which details Paul's troubles and trials as he traveled throughout many towns, his miraculous raising of a young man from the dead in Troas, and ends with his emotional, tearful farewell address to the Ephesian church elders. 

"As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus." Acts 9:3-8

Like millions of other believers around the world, Paul had entered the race in his later years (around the age of 27-33) after a life-changing event that caused him to see his need for Jesus. His encounter with the Lord caused Saul (later named Paul) to not only arise from the ground as Jesus commanded him but compelled Paul to passionately serve Jesus for the rest of his days—so much so that Paul declared that none of his trials moved him "nor do I count my life dear to myself." His sole objective was to finish the race with joy and declare the Good News until the very end, no matter how long it took, knowing that, in the end, it would be wonderful!

So, knowing that the end goal for every believer must be to finish the race well, make it your objective to let nothing move you so that you can boldly declare the gospel in the same way Paul did my friend. And whether you're 19 or 90, vow to live a life of purpose from this day forward by living a life dedicated to knowing Jesus and to making His great Name known. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our lives are not our own and that the measure of a life lived well is found in the number of people that we inspired to seek You by the way we ran our race. Lord, help us to consider our lives worth nothing if they aren't lived for You so that we would seek to bring You glory in all we do. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

No Appeal will Change the Ending

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:27-28 NKJV

In a story titled “A High School Runner Was DQ’d After a Finish-Line Celebration. Now the Decision Has Been Overturned” published by Runner’s World yesterday, it was reported that Mallard Creek High School in North Carolina won its appeal and will share the team title and 4 x 400-meter relay state championship.

Mallard Creek High School will get the state title recognition it’s been fighting for.

After an appeal overturned the disqualification that initially cost the boys’ track team the 2026 NCHSAA 8A state championship, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors officially voted to name both Mallard Creek and C.E. Jordan High School co-champions. The board also voted to recognize Mallard Creek and Hough High School as co-champions in the boys’ 4 x 400-meter relay.

That disqualification had become one of the most talked-about high school track rulings of the season. Mallard Creek anchor Nyan Brown crossed first in the final relay at the state meet, which would have secured the team title. That was until officials went on to disqualify the relay for unsportsmanlike conduct after Brown raised his hand before the finish line.

The ruling gave Mallard Creek no points in the event and left Jordan as the original boys 8A champion. Videos of the finish quickly went viral, with many questioning whether the gesture matched the severity of the consequence. But now, the appeal changes that ending…

And, you know, while Brown was successful in his appeal, thereby changing the outcome of his situation and that of the team, the Bible is very clear that there will be no chance for appeal for anyone after they’ve breathed their last here on earth.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

“For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’” Romans 10:13

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3:36

You see, there is only one way to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ. All those who believe in Him and accept Him as their Savior will have eternal life but all those who reject Him “shall not see life” but will face the wrath of God.

This is important to understand since many “religions” believe in reincarnation or purgatory, thus eliminating the need to commit to trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior.

But nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible is very clear about that when it says “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

This passage outlines a strict, two-step sequence for every human being: death, followed immediately by judgment. Which means death seals the verdict, with no opportunity for appeal and the moment a person takes their final breath, their spiritual status is permanently locked. There is no holding area, and no courtroom where a person can change their mind or negotiate.

Spurgeon explained it this way…. A man dies once, and after that everything is fixed and settled, and he answers for his doings at the judgment. One life, one death - then everything is weighed, and the result declared: ‘after this the judgment.’ So Christ comes, and dies once; and after this, for him also the result of what he has done, namely, the salvation of those who look for him. He dies once, and then reaps the fixed result, according to the analogy of the human race, of which he became a member and representative.”

So, don’t put off making the decision to trust in Jesus if you haven’t already done so my friend. There is not one person living that is guaranteed another day here on earth. The only guarantee for anyone is that all those who have accepted Christ as their Savior will spend eternity in heaven and all those who chose not to accept Jesus will spend eternity in hell, and no appeal will change that ending.

Heavenly Father, thank You for making it clear that You are the only way to eternal life. Help us to understand this fully Lord so that we would choose to follow You today and every day and never back down from preaching the Good News so that others would too. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION-Celebrate Global Running Day by Signing Up for the BPFS

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog

Now let’s get started by talking about what today is… Global Running Day! This is a worldwide celebration of running, which just happens to be one of my most favorite things to do. I know, I know, that comes as no shock, right?!!

Which is the very reason that today is a great day for me to encourage you to start running as well, if you’re not currently doing it. Or to encourage you to continue doing it, if you already are, and maybe even to up your game to shoot for a PR or a new distance. And to jump start all that, you should join in on all the fun that's happening tonight at Fleet Feet in Springfield at The Big Run Fun Run!! You’ll meet like-minded people and can participate in a 5k by running, walking, or doing a combination of it.

With that being said, if you've been thinking about signing up for the Bass Pro Marathon, Half Marathon, or the Dogwood Canyon Trail Runs happening this November, there may be no better day than Global Running Day to officially begin your training journey.

Why? Because if you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need time to build up a solid base of endurance through a Couch to 5k program or something similar. This will allow you to be ready for the “official” Bass Pro Training Groups presented by OMRR (Ozarks Mountain Ridge Runners) that begin in July (if you’re in the Pulaski County area, FFG-Frog Fitness Group will be hosting these runs as well). 

But, hey, if you’re saying, “Can I just skip the Couch to 5k and go straight to the Couch to Marathon (or half-marathon) plan?” To that I would say, yes it's possible, if you don’t rush the process and are willing to do run/walk intervals. Many people have successfully completed a marathon after six months of consistent training using this method. And while it’s certainly possible that you could run the whole thing, I would not recommend trying to race it without giving your body more time to be prepared for the physical stress it would take to do so—especially if you’re an older adult. 

With that being said, there are a few things to consider, like your training goal and your finishing time goal before getting started. Like I said, finishing a 26.2 mile race with only six months of training is possible but racing a marathon at your full potential will most likely take more time (it’s more doable with a 13.1 distance). Which is why the goal of most beginners should be to cross the finish line healthy, smiling, and proud of what you've accomplished. 

Before You Begin Though…

If you've been completely inactive or have any health concerns, it's wise to get medical clearance before beginning a marathon training program.

You should also understand that marathon training requires patience.

There are no shortcuts.

The runners who succeed are often not the most talented—they're the most consistent.

Finally, sign up for the race and then find a training program that works for you. It's important that you do it in that order so you'll have some "skin in the game" and take your training seriously. Time is of the essence if you want to cross one of the Bass Pro finish lines in November. 

And there you have it friends. It's entirely possible to go from the Couch to a Marathon or Half Marathon (or the 15k or 25k at Dogwood) in six months. Thousands of runners have done it. But the key isn't running hard. The key is running consistently. Start where you are. Run easy. Increase gradually. Trust the process. And six months from now, you may find yourself standing at the starting line of a marathon wondering how the person who once sat on the couch became someone capable of running 26.2 miles.

Happy Running!

Praise the One who Gives Breath

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!” Psalm 150:6 NKJV

In an astonishing story published by Runner’s World over the weekend, it was reported that American ultrarunner Tyler Andrew’s latest mountain record attempt ended on the highest possible stage.

Andrews reportedly reached the summit of Mount Everest from Base Camp in 9 hours and 55 minutes while using supplemental oxygen, setting a new fastest known time (FKT) for an oxygen-assisted ascent of the world’s tallest mountain. The previous mark was 10 hours and 56 minutes, set by Lakpa Gelu Sherpa in 2003, meaning Andrews lowered the time by just over an hour.

Andrews began the climb on May 27, starting from Everest Base Camp at 7:11 p.m. local time. Upon completion, his team reported that he reached the summit at 5:06 a.m. on May 28. The time is still expected to go through formal confirmation, but if verified, it would reset the oxygen-assisted speed mark on Everest.

The finish time is even wilder when you look at the route he took. Andrews began at Everest Base Camp, more than 17,500 feet up, and climbed to the 29,031-foot summit through the Khumbu Icefall, the higher camps, the South Col, and the summit ridge. One might say it’s not a super long route by running standards, but it gains roughly 11,500 feet in about 8.4 miles, according to iRunFar, with the obvious complication that all of it is happening on Everest…

But you know what’s even wilder than that? There’s been all this talk about oxygen but no one has praised the One who created oxygen, the God who breathed it into our lungs, or the Lord that sustains our life with it.

Think about that for a minute. Not one person acknowledged God as the giver of life, much less praised Him for it—or for the ability to scale a mountain.

The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7

But the truth is this… from the beginning of Genesis, it was “the Lord God who formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” Do you get that? It’s God’s breath in our lungs that makes each one of us “a living soul.” We are nothing without Him.

Science itself declares that there is a Creator. Consider the act of breathing...

Body cells keep us alive by performing their various functions. To do this they need a constant supply of oxygen, which begins when we inhale. As the air passes through the nose, it is warmed and moistened. If foreign particles are present, little hairs called cilia stop them. Sneezing or blowing the nose clears out these particles.

When we inhale, our lungs stretch like balloons being filled with air. Then, in about two seconds, the lungs contract and the air is exhaled. This takes place about fifteen or twenty times a minute. Getting a sufficient quantity of oxygen from this air and into the bloodstream is the main function of the lungs. This is why they need fresh, clean air that is free of smoke, dust and fumes in order to maintain good health.

When expanded, the lungs have a surface of about two square feet for the air to pass over, but this is not enough to take care of their work. When God designed man’s lungs, He wisely added to the lung capacity without making that organ huge and bulky. He did this by forming blood channels ending in tiny sacs all over the linings of the lungs. There are about 600 million of these sacs, which increase the capacity of the lungs to 600 to 1,000 square feet (larger than many classrooms), which is 300 times the capacity of the lungs alone! Each one of these tiny sacs brings blood to its surface. In the two seconds that air flows over these sacs, oxygen is transferred to the blood. This oxygen enriched blood moves on to the heart and is pumped throughout the whole body.

The lungs not only take oxygen out of the incoming air, they also remove carbon dioxide from the blood. This carbon dioxide is a product of the body-cell processes and must be removed. The blood carries it to the lungs where it is expelled by the lung’s exhaling action.

"In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?" Job 12:10

This entire process goes on without our thinking about it (except when we have a cold and have difficulty breathing). Only God could design and make our wonderful bodies and their remarkable details, which are the same today as when he created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God, “in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind” is always aware of everything pertaining to our lives.

So, knowing that your very life depends on the oxygen that God provides, don’t forget to thank Him my friend. And then ask yourself, "When is the last time that I thanked God for the air in my lungs and praised Him for His goodness in watching over me so carefully?" If it’s been a while, make today the day you vow to “praise the Lord” each and every day. Moving forward, let every inhale and exhale be a testament to the grace of the Creator.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the air in our lungs. Help us to never take it for granted by acknowledging You as the Giver and Sustainer of life and by choosing to praise You with the air You have supplied. Help us to never take the glory for any of our successes but to give You all the glory. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

The Lord Gives Us a New Song

"I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:1-3 NKJV

In a story titled “Runner turns personal struggle into cross-country mission for mental health awareness” published over the weekend, it was reported that a run across Canada that began as a deeply personal challenge has turned into a growing movement for mental health awareness.

Carter Armstrong arrived in Swift Current this week on Day 46 of his solo journey from Vancouver toward his hometown of Dryden, Ont., running thousands of kilometres while raising awareness and funds for mental health initiatives through the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Armstrong said the idea for the run came after years of struggling with mental health himself, including the loss of a close friend to suicide.

“About two months before I started on this venture and decided what I was doing, I attempted to take my own life,” Armstrong said during an interview with Country 94.1 FM's Chris Martens. “The next day, I just realized I had so much more to give to the world.”

And, you know, sadly, Carter isn’t the only person who has struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide. Statistics say that an estimated 5.7% of adults (roughly 332 million people) suffer from depression worldwide. In the U.S., current depression rates range between 8.3% and 18.3% of the adult population depending on whether the metric measures a diagnosed major depressive episode or self-reported ongoing symptoms.

However you measure it though, one thing is clear. There are a lot of people who struggle in this sinful world, and a host of reasons why a person can despair of life. King David was one of those people who, at any given time, had legitimate and real reasons to be downcast and despondent.

As a young shepherd, he protected his flock from lions and bears. He famously defeated the Philistine giant Goliath as a youth, which immediately thrusted him into the national spotlight.

David’s popularity then caused King Saul to become fiercely jealous. For years, David lived as a fugitive in the wilderness (although he had been anointed as king, it would be about 14 years before he ascended the throne), narrowly escaping assassination attempts and living in caves. During this time, he had multiple opportunities to kill Saul but chose to spare him, demonstrating restraint and respect for God's anointed and for God's timing.

After becoming king, David fell into severe moral failure, committing adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrating the death of her husband, Uriah.

 
Though God forgave him, David faced lifelong internal and external punishments, including the death of his newborn child and intense family turmoil.

David's own children brought him immense grief. His son Amnon violated his half-sister Tamar, leading her brother Absalom to murder Amnon in revenge. Absalom later conspired to steal the throne, forcing David to flee Jerusalem on foot. This agonizing betrayal by his own son is often considered the darkest and most difficult period of David’s trials, pushing him from his own palace into exile.

In addition to internal family conflicts, David fought endless battles with enemy nations and endured devastating civil wars. Wow right? And that’s just a few of the things David went through!
As you would imagine then, David had his many  ups and downs and his innumerable highs and lows. And although David had countless times of depair and doubt, he forbearingly depended on the Lord. Why? Because he had learned that God was faithful to hear and faithful to act. 

This is something we can see in Psalm 40 when David said, "I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord"

There’s so much we can glean from this ourselves as we go through (and it’s not a matter of if, but when) our own dark times. And the first thing is this… although we might be in a season of waiting for deliverance, God bends his ear to hear our cries. Think about that for a minute. The Almighty God of the universe bent down to hear David and He does the same for us. That means no matter what our feelings tell us, the facts tell us that God knows and God cares. 

Secondly, God pulls us out of the sinking mud. If you’ve ever experienced depression (and I have), you know exactly what it feels like to be weighted down by feelings of sadness and sunkenness. These feelings become a pit so deep that they are impossible to overcome or climb out of by our own strength and willpower. But God…

Depression may steal our joy and silence our voice for a time, but God will give us a new song. He will take away our heavy groans of despair and replace them with a melody of genuine hope and freedom. And here’s the beautiful part of our healing: Our survival becomes someone else's survival guide!

You see, as David noted, people didn’t just hear his song; they "saw it." And they trusted in the Lord because of it! Talk about having so much more to give to the world! That’s everyone going through a state of sorrow that continues to trust in the Lord. The Lord replaces that sorrow with singing!

So, no matter what you’re going through today, hang in there my friend. Your pain is not meaningless. God can and will use your story of overcoming the darkness to anchor the faith of someone else who is still trapped in their own pit if you will call on Him and trust in Him. He did it for David, He did it for me, and He can do it for you too.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You know, You hear, and You truly care about what we are going through. Lord, help us to understand that we won't always grasp the reasons we go through seasons of dejection, especially when it's caused by something out of our control, but that if we depend on You to see us through these times, we will not only come out better for it but will have a new song to sing that will cause others to trust in You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!