Patient endurance

"Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10:36

When one of my beloved friends decided to do her first 50 mile ultramarathon Saturday, I was honored at the request to come alongside to help. Knowing what was in store (since I had done several before), I warned her that there would be times when she would feel like giving up - but that if she would keep her eyes on the Lord and keep going in spite of her feelings, the temptation to quit would pass and we would finish the race under the cutoff time of 12 hours. And you know what? This race was indeed hard... very hard. But by patiently enduring those periods of pain, hunger, discouragement and fatigue that are a normal part of ultrarunning, Sheri pressed on and finished with 22 minutes to spare.

And you know, just as in ultrarunning (or running distances longer than the standard 26.2 mile marathon), trials and discomfort are a normal part of life. Everyone, at one point or another, will experience them and feel like giving up. But that's when we, as the Bible tells us, need "patient endurance" so that we "will continue to do God's will." And this patient endurance, or the ability to withstand prolonged hardship or adversity calmly or without complaint, is only acquired by spiritual training. You see, each and every time you and I make the decision to do "God's will" for our lives in spite of the struggle or our desire to quit, we acquire greater "patient endurance" and are more faithful and steadfast in our Christian walk.

So while you and I might not enjoy suffering or see any good in it right now, take heart in knowing that it is training us to have the "patient endurance" that will, one day, allow us to "receive all that he has promised". And for that my friend, it will have been worth it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that, although it will be hard, patiently enduring until the end will be worth it. Please give us the strength and the desire to continue serving You as we are called that we might influence our families and all those around us to come to the foot of the Cross. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Hard love - NEEDTOBREATHE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClBToJfO9xo

Near the end and keeping the joy. 

She was thankful to cross that finish line after almost 12 hours of running!

All smiles as we claim our prize and give Him all the glory.