Learning to Live at Peace through His Promises
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men," Colossians 3:23
Jesus never said following Him would be easy. In fact, He said the exact opposite. I can confirm this statement with all that I've been through the past few months. Especially throughout track season. For one thing, the enemy is ultimately working harder and harder to pull you away the closer you get to God (as said in my last post). This has happened to me several times this past track season. Distance races are really a mental competition just as much as it is physical. My mentality going through this season was that I am working for God, so I should be working with all that I have. Jesus gave it all for me up on that cross, this is an opportunity for me and others to give all that we have for Him. There were many times before a race that I would feel anxious and unprepared. A specific example of this was the first time I ran the 800 meter run, the second meet of the season. Right as we were taking our places upon the track, we had some technical difficulties, which gave us a little more time before the race. That was when I heard the words, "Trust me." It was my first time to run the 800 since freshman year and I crossed that finish line in first place. Again and again I heard these words and again and again they proved to be true. All of the times God was asking me to trust Him before these races, God was not promising a first place finish. He was promising His presence and provision over me at all times.
The week before the regional meet was tough. I was stressed, worried, anxious, but the one feeling I didn't think I had was fear. And yet the one phrase I kept hearing from God was not to be afraid. The closer the time came to regionals, the more I started to realize that I WAS afraid. I was afraid of losing. Afraid of my competitors and their abilities. Afraid of not making it to the state track meet, the meet I had been working towards all year. But, through sermons I heard at church and the reading of God's Word, I learned that there is nothing to be afraid of when God promises to never leave your side. I was reminded that I don't have to be afraid because my only hope of peace within me is God's presence, and lucky for us, His greatest promise is His presence with us! (Joshua 1:5) The 3200m race at regionals was very intense. Me and two other girls were at the front of the pack the entire race. During the race, I had just started to feel anxious and worried when the Holy Spirit stepped in and provided me with the peace that only God can provide. (Philippians 4:7) I could've so easily freaked out! But instead, I went through the race with confidence and peace because of the trust I have in God. That is, until the last 300m of the race when a thought popped into my head that I might not be able to pass those two girls. That I might not qualify for the state meet...I still do not remember consciously making the decision to speed up. All I remember is moving out from behind them and giving all that I had left, securing my spot at the state meet, accomplishing the goal I had made for myself and worked so hard for the entire year. And in doing so, I felt that I had proven that, not only do I not give up very easily, but more importantly, that my strength comes from God. (Philippians 4:13)
"'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Deuteronomy 31:6
My goal in telling you all of this is not to inform you of my accomplishments. It is to prove to you who God is and His promises for me and you. These past few months have had many ups and downs, some bigger than others. There were many times and there still are times of confusion. I asked for strength and God gave me problems to make me stronger. The blessings that have come from the trials I've gone through were more than worth it. I've learned to stop listening to the lies of the enemy and to start listening to who God says I am. There have been times when I have believed lies like, "I am alone," "I am guilty," and "I should be ashamed." But, I am learning to find peace in who God says I am: loved, forgiven, strong and unashamed.
"...the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinth. 1:3-4
This blog post took me a hot minute to write, not only because there was so much I wanted to say, but for so long I didn't know exactly what God was leading me to write about. This has definitely been a growing season for me, and I am so happy to be able to share some of my struggles so that I just might be able to help somebody else through theirs. To wrap it up, I'm going to share with you an experience I had. Just before I began finishing this blog post, I started thinking about what I was fearful of. I came to many conclusions, including what might happen in the future, the safety and health of my family, someone's response to an apology I owe them, etc. After praying, I closed my eyes and got a picture of Jesus and I on a tall building. Jesus looks to me and says, "Do not be afraid." I say, "Why shouldn't I be afraid?" "Because I am right here. Do you not trust Me?"
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding," Proverbs 3:5
Jesus never said following Him would be easy. In fact, He said the exact opposite. I can confirm this statement with all that I've been through the past few months. Especially throughout track season. For one thing, the enemy is ultimately working harder and harder to pull you away the closer you get to God (as said in my last post). This has happened to me several times this past track season. Distance races are really a mental competition just as much as it is physical. My mentality going through this season was that I am working for God, so I should be working with all that I have. Jesus gave it all for me up on that cross, this is an opportunity for me and others to give all that we have for Him. There were many times before a race that I would feel anxious and unprepared. A specific example of this was the first time I ran the 800 meter run, the second meet of the season. Right as we were taking our places upon the track, we had some technical difficulties, which gave us a little more time before the race. That was when I heard the words, "Trust me." It was my first time to run the 800 since freshman year and I crossed that finish line in first place. Again and again I heard these words and again and again they proved to be true. All of the times God was asking me to trust Him before these races, God was not promising a first place finish. He was promising His presence and provision over me at all times.
"'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Deuteronomy 31:6
This blog post took me a hot minute to write, not only because there was so much I wanted to say, but for so long I didn't know exactly what God was leading me to write about. This has definitely been a growing season for me, and I am so happy to be able to share some of my struggles so that I just might be able to help somebody else through theirs. To wrap it up, I'm going to share with you an experience I had. Just before I began finishing this blog post, I started thinking about what I was fearful of. I came to many conclusions, including what might happen in the future, the safety and health of my family, someone's response to an apology I owe them, etc. After praying, I closed my eyes and got a picture of Jesus and I on a tall building. Jesus looks to me and says, "Do not be afraid." I say, "Why shouldn't I be afraid?" "Because I am right here. Do you not trust Me?"
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding," Proverbs 3:5
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