Challenges and struggles are a part of the running. If you run long enough, you will face struggles. Injury. Motivation loss. Plateauing. Slowing Down. Lack of progress. Boredom of location. These types of struggles are hard and can zap your desire or even ability to run. And while you push through you are just waiting and hoping for each run to be the run that helps you turn the corner. Eventually you will be able to push through those hard times and get back to enjoying the run.
Paul tells us this is the same process for our spiritual run. We will face hard times. It is a reality. But Paul reminds us that followers of Christ glory in those times because we understand their true purpose. Trials and tribulations help us produce the perseverance we will need to finish our race. Perseverance improves our character. And a strong godly character builds up our hope and confidence in God.
We persevere because we know God loves us. We hope in God’s promises. And our hope isn’t empty and it will never go unrealized. God is true. He will not disappoint us. If we persevere through hard times and keep running, God will give us our finisher medal. He will not disappoint us because He loves us.
Endurance produces a stronger running character and a stronger runner has more hope and confidence. Don’t let the struggles and trials and hard times defeat you, face them and keep running. God won’t disappoint you. He will reward you for your hard work. #runningtherace
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