"Runner's high...is it real? Exactly how far do I have to run to actually reach it?" These are the thoughts I found myself contemplating after another grueling workout yesterday evening. I get excited the most before the workout, and then feel absolutely punished afterwards!
I have never been a marathon runner or a 5k runner like my son and daughter. Noooo, I am more of a "burst" runner (if that's a thing - if not, it is now). I start out walking at a good, even pace, moving towards power walking, and then I start choosing landmarks as my goals. My starting line might be a light pole, a crack in the pavement I see ahead, or the edge of a field coming up. I choose my starting point and then imagine as I reach it that springs vault me off into a perfect run. I imagine this because the reality is far from that.
So far, I have done my running bursts on flat, level areas or I take full advantage of downhill stretches. Running uphill is tough. Don't believe me? Give it a try this afternoon. It is rough! Yesterday, for some reason, after a full day of work I came home and got partway through my workout and I decided to run UP a hill I was on instead of waiting to get over it. I began to run and I was able to do it! It was difficult. It was painful. I worked hard to keep my breathing steady and I pushed forward. I was overwhelmed with excitement as I drove myself up that hill, willing myself to get to my next landmark...an adjoining street. I almost made it! I did have to stop for just a few seconds, and then I took off again until I reached that point.
I felt such a huge sense of accomplishment from those few minutes in my workout. Did I achieve runner's high? No, I didn't. Does it exist? I am beginning to doubt it. But, what it showed me is that I CAN do it, and that if I continue to work hard I WILL do it.
Our mindset is such a vitally important thing. And this applies to all areas of life. If we feel defeated, we are defeated. The bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. His word also says that we are overcomers through the blood of the Lamb and through the word of our testimony. What words are coming out of our mouths? What thoughts are we allowing to pervade our brain? Are we speaking words of life over ourselves, over our families, over every situation we face? Or are we speaking death, word curses and discouragement?
As I headed towards home yesterday, I honestly was exhausted and was slowly melting onto the pavement, and suddenly I began to speak life to myself. I began to say, "Strong legs, strong mind, strong body, (etc.)" over and over as I walked and ran. I began to speak life and encouragement to myself (because oh, did I need it!) as I headed home.
The same thing applies to every situation in our lives. What is your health worth to you? What is your marriage worth to you? What is your family worth to you? Your ministry, your job, your friends, and on and on the list goes... Everything that is worth having is worth fighting hard for. There are a lot of times we have to run uphill, as well as a lot of times that the road is rough and full of potholes. However, every single day we have the opportunity to speak life and blessing and encouragement over those we love, over our health, over every aspect of our lives.
One thing I know for sure that is real when I run is when I get my "second wind." My dad used to try to explain that to me when I was younger and I never understood what he meant until I experienced it. When it feels like my lungs cannot get the air they need, I keep going and breathing evenly, and suddenly it is as if they open up and I am refreshed with oxygen once again.
When we speak life and victory over the situations we face, instead of allowing ourselves to slump over on the side of the road and give up, we get that second wind. When we give those things over to the Lord and let them go into His hands, He strengthens us and He carries the weight for us. Suddenly, problems don't seem so big when we realize that our heavenly Father who loves us is holding every detail right in the palm of His hand. Suddenly, we can breathe again. Suddenly, we find peace and contentment in Him.
Ask yourself today how you have been facing things in your life. As a victim or a victor? Now ask yourself again those questions from earlier. What is your health worth to you? Your marriage? Your family? Etc... Everything worth having is worth fighting for. Always remember that. Speak life, speak love, speak God's promises and God's truth. We need to run our race as a child of the King. Even if we stumble, fall, or have to walk for a little while; get back up and keep running that race, keep moving forward, and keep pressing on toward a closer walk with Him.
