No reason to be daunted

"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10 NLT

In an articled published yesterday by Runner's World Magazine titled "2020 Was a Crazy Running Year...," data from popular workout tracking apps and devices from across the nation was collected and studied. Interestingly enough, the data showed that runners in the United States logged more miles outside than ever before, more people took up running for the first time than ever before, and we runners continued to race (virtually of course) despite the lockdowns and limitations imposed on us as a result of the COVID pandemic. "Runners were undaunted," by the interruption the article said, "With a little creativity, we were able to continue to lace up and reap all the health benefits that running confers."

And you know, while many people are looking for 2021 to be the year things "return to normal," we will probably never experience “normal” again. In fact, many of those runners who were "undaunted" in 2020 are facing the new year with apprehension, fear and dread. Between COVID, the elections, and the unrest and upheaval in our country (and in our world), many people are disheartened and discouraged. But guess what? If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you can and should have the peace that surpasses all understanding despite all of it. Why? Because God has promised to be with you, to strengthen you, to help you and to uphold you no matter what you might be facing.

So as you and I look to the new year, may we smile knowing that everything is going to be okay... really okay. Not because the world will be at peace, because it won't be... ever. But because we can have peace in all situations because our God is always with us... even to the end of the age.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons we learned in 2020 and the resilience and faith we gained as we had to look to You for new ways to do things. Thank You for promising to always be with us and to give us the strength to face anything. Help us to stay encouraged by remembering that through You we are victorious. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

See a Victory