Something to get excited about!

For those of you that have no idea, over the past few months I've gradually become somewhat of a "runner"....(I use quotations since I have my own definition of the word)...I've always been a high/low kind of lady, you know, run consistently for 2 days and then "get too busy" for a running schedule! Well, I've realized that an attitude like that not only doesn't get me anywhere physically, but it also keeps me from the opportunity to learn some valuable lessons on how to discipline my mind and body. I've begun to use the phrase "mind over matter" a lot because it helps me remember that sometimes it's really just a matter of deciding to keep going that gets me to the end. I've become very familar with my personal vomit stages...these are the points where my body screams, "That's it! We can't go another step...we're going to vomit!"....I used to be completely intimidated by these thoughts and succumb to them...but not anymore! See, when I started thinking it through I realized that I've never actually vomited when running...EVER! So I've made the conscious decision to put these thoughts out of my head when they come after me and to keep on truckin'!

I put this brilliantly new concept into practice yesterday....and conquered 2 miles without a single stop!!! (That's incredible for me) It felt so great!! It wasn't only my body that felt good, but it was a good feeling knowing that I'd accomplished what I set out to do!

This is just like an every day battle with our sin, isn't it? We know what's right to do, but when it comes down to really doing it our minds scream "lies" at us about our inabilities and weaknesses or the enemy takes the opportunity to remind us of our past failures and fears...."lies" that are really true without the hope and strength found at the cross of Christ. We can stop when we hear these things and decide that we're through...OR we can "let patience have its PERFECT work"(James 1:4) and choose to recognize the victory we already have in Christ!! That doesn't mean that we've won the battle once we've recognized it for what it is....we have to persevere, fighting all the way to the end! (I have to actually run the 2 miles to conquer my goal) We can only do this by submitting ourselves to the work that God intends for us...whatever it may be...we may end up vomiting, but nevertheless, in the end we will be "perfect and complete lacking nothing"!

That's something to get excited about!