I love to pray while running.I talk to God, but the best part is when I hear Him.
Toward the end of today's run, I was tired (again, lol).
Knowing that I was building strength that would benefit me now and in future runs is what helped me finish.
Strength. Christ's followers know that their strength comes from Christ.
Strength. What good is it if it is not tested? Do we get strong just to be strong? Lift just to lift? No.
We get strong to use our strength. So others can see it physically and see it in action.
How do we show our strength? By lifting heavier weight.
What does this have to with your walk? (A lot of questions, I know, but stick with me.)
We are constantly being molded into the image of Christ, which means we need to keep getting stronger.
Strength to lay down one's own will and follow God's plan to be ridiculously beaten and nailed to a cross to bring good to the world (that's simplified, of course) takes a lot of work in the gym.
Stronger muscles equals strength.
Strength comes from pushing against an opposing force, or opposition.
Opposition in your life, allowed by God, is Him helping you strengthen your soul.
When opposition comes your way, it's an opportunity to show the new strength that has been developed in you!Who is seeing that new strength? You Are!
God, in His sovereignty, knows exactly how much more weight you're able to lift.
Through the opposition He allows, He's able to strengthen you AND show YOU how strong you have become.
To get stronger, you have to lift - that's the opposition.
The stronger you are, the more you're able to bear.
You can endure!
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 1:12-13 NLT
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 1 Chronicles 16:9 KJV
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philppians 4:13 NLT