All posts in Perseverance

You can’t rush God.  I’ve tried. strength, strong, depression, anxiety, stress, waiting, courage, heart

Patience is not one of my virtues.  Most people don’t like to wait but some are more impatient than others. I run with that crowd.

As much as I don’t like waiting I have come to embrace it, knowing that in those times when we feel like we are in a holding pattern, we are actually gaining something invaluable – STRENGTH.

My husband works out on a regular basis doing WEIGHT training – and sometimes he drags me along. I don’t like it, but I do it because I know that I will gain strength from it. If I choose the weight myself I usually go for the lighter, easier option.  When my husband comes along he always makes me increase the amount I am lifting.  He explained to me that unless I am pushing my muscles beyond their normal limitation I will not be accomplishing anything but conditioning.  If I want to build muscle (strength) I have to push myself and increase the weight to a somewhat uncomfortable amount. This causes the muscle fibers to actually tear.  But what happens after that is amazing. After the workout the muscles fibers heal and it is a scientific fact that they come back bigger and stronger!

There are times in my life when the WAIT training I have had to endure seemed endless and beyond my normal limitation. When all I felt was torn down and ripped apart it was hard to imagine that I would ever feel strong again. That is where patience and endurance come into play.  The word of God tells us that if we are patient and endure we will receive all that we have been promised.  It seems that patience is a requirement of the waiting period. In my experience, I have never been granted deliverance from a waiting period until I have learned to patiently endure.

Of course there are times in life when we have to fight for a breakthrough but more often than not I have had to wait for the breakthrough. Knowing that my heart was being strengthened in the process was a comfort.

Do you find yourself in a holding pattern? Be brave and wait patiently for the God to reveal all that He has planned for you.  And in the meantime take courage that you are getting stronger every minute!

I grew up on Long Island.  Although I have lived on the west coast of Florida, which boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches for the past 20 years, Jones Beach will always be the most beautiful beach to me because it is home.

If I close my eyes I can feel the gritty sand in my toes and hear the seagulls and the waves crashing to the shore. As a little kid I would play on the shore line, building sandcastles and jumping over the remainder of the breaker waves as they rolled up towards the beach.  As I got older I became more adventurous and learned how to ride the waves in as they broke.

It is an exhilarating feeling to catch a good wave at precisely the right moment and get a nice clean ride in. But occasionally you can be blindsided by a wave and get pummeled by it because you weren’t expecting it. Sometimes in an attempt to ride a wave you can jump in at the wrong time resulting in being creamed by the force of the current. This is a scary experience.  In a matter of seconds you are being spun uncontrollably and it is incredibly difficult to find your bearings. It feels like the ocean is sucking you downward. If you are not accustomed to navigating the unpredictable activity of an undertow it is easy to panic.  I have been caught in some crazy waves that in the moment have made me wonder if I would survive.

Fortunately like most kids who are raised by the beach, I was taught at a young age how to handle such situations and even though it could be frightening I knew that if I followed some simple rules of survival the wave would eventually subside and I would once again rise to the surface and be able to breathe.

The first rule was HOLD YOUR BREATH AND DON’T PANIC.  The duration of even a huge ocean wave is shorter than the amount of time you can hold your breath. The tendency when we panic is to gasp for breath but if when the wave hits you just hold your breath and don’t panic in time the waters will smooth out and the air in your body will cause you to rise to the surface.

The second rule was DON’T FIGHT IT – GO WITH THE FLOW. Our natural reaction when we’re being knocked around and feel out of control is to fight to regain our footing but this is actually counterproductive when trying to react to a wave. All you will end up doing is completely exhausting yourself.  Instead the trick is to relax your body and let yourself go with it until the wave passes.  The force of the wave is far stronger than you are and fighting against it is futile. If you can calmly wait it out you will soon be released, your feet will find the ground and you will be able to push up to the surface and find your bearings. This is easier said than done when you are being tossed about by the waves!

Some kids (and grown-ups for that matter) having been pummeled by a wave once decided it was not worth the risk and do not engage in the joy of riding the waves. They didn’t learn the survival tips for managing the undertow and so they settle for just playing in the shallow breakers. They are missing out on the exhilaration of swimming in the ocean.  It is an incredible feeling to be carried by the rise and fall of the ocean swells and something thrilling about playing in the vastness of the sea.

Life is often like this. A series of waves, some invigorating and awe-inspiring and others downright frightening and disorienting. But it shouldn’t stop us from engaging. If we want to experience all the joy and wonder that this life has to offer we need to pack up our coping skills and dive in deep.

crashing waves, panic, depression, coping, fear

This is not me – but what a great picture!
photo credit
Young girl in the waves, Jones Beach, New York. July 1951, by Alfred Eisenstaedt.
www.entertaininghouse.com

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Instead of playing in the shallow breakers I am ready to dive in.  This is an unedited, first attempt excerpt from a short book I am writing. Stay tuned!

If you are in the swirl of an undertow please know that this too shall pass.  Hold your breath (or since you are not really in the ocean – take some deep breaths) ~ don’t panic.  Before you know it you will be in smooth waters once again. 

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. ~ Psalm 107:29


courage is key

Yesterday in church my pastor read a verse that I’ve probably read a thousand times before. I have read it before without any particular revelation. But this time it really spoke to me.

Acts 4:13 ~ When they saw the COURAGE of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

This is my year to BE BRAVE and to encourage other to BE BRAVE, so every time I hear the word courage I pay attention. But “courage” was not what jumped out at me the most.  What really captured my heart were the words “unschooled” and “ordinary.”

When I was melting down at the end of last year I spent some time journaling one morning trying to get to the bottom of all of the things that were bothering me. (There were quite a few!)

One of the things I was dealing with was a disconnection between my true authentic self and who I thought I needed to be in order to be worthy of my position as leader of FTGI.

So I made a list.  I listed all the things I thought a leader of a faith-based women’s organization should be and I rated myself.  I quickly realized that I didn’t measure up.

I won’t go into all of the items, but I listed that she (the leader) should have credentials. An education or some kind of schooling that qualified her to teach.  Or maybe a master’s degree in social work, psychology or counseling…something. I went to college for a year and a half and quit.

I listed that she should have unwavering faith. I question and I doubt and I have to pray that God will help me in my unbelief…a lot. More than I think a leader should.

The list went on and although I met some of my made-up requirements overall, I fell short.  As I stared at the list I heard God whisper to me that the list was mine not His.  In fact He doesn’t even have a list.

He called me and that is enough.

He called Peter and John…two ordinary, unschooled men.  He gave them COURAGE and that was enough to become history makers. It was enough for them to change the world and do things that astonished people!!

What has God called you to do that you feel under-qualified for?  Throw your list away, have COURAGE and go change your world!

 

I saw this on a poster a while back ~

You’ve only got three choices in life:  Give up, give in or give it all you’ve got. 

I choose #3.  The others won’t get you anywhere.

For the past few days this verse in Galatians keeps surfacing in my mind.

Do not become weary in well doing, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up

So there it is.  It’s about determining to give it all we’ve got because we are promised that at the PROPER time ( not our time, uugh) we will reap a harvest!!

I keep seeing hints of fall everywhere even though it’s still really hot here in Florida. But the pumpkins are out, fall decorations are on the shelves…the signs are all there.

The harvest is coming!!

Don’t give up. Give it all you’ve got!

 

One of the most important factors that played into my successful completion of the 5K was the fact that I was training with a group of women. If I had been training on my own I am 1000% sure I would have given up before the day of the event. Training with others offered these key things:

1. Accountability – If I didn’t show up in the morning I knew I would get a phone call later that day.
2. Camaraderie – Plain and simply it is was just way more enjoyable and fun to be running together.
3. Challenge  – When I didn’t want to push myself out of my comfort zone there were voices to challenge me to do the hard work.

One and two are obvious but the third one is probably the most important in our real life “run.”

What I wanted more than anything on those chilly mornings when every muscle ached, was someone to tell me that I had worked hard enough and was pushing myself too hard and understand that I wanted to stay warmly tucked under my covers. What I needed was someone to help me to visualize the end result and help me realize that the pain and discomfort would be worth it when I crossed the finish line.

When you are choosing people whom you allow to speak into your life make sure that they are more concerned with your progress than your comfort and then be open to receiving their advice.

Our human nature will cause us to gravitate towards those who will make us feel good but if we want to run to win we must seek out those willing to tell us the truth even if it will require us facing something or doing something difficult. As we all know, sometimes the truth hurts but it almost always helps us to grow.

Proverbs 27:6 says…Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

Early morning running group

A few years back I trained for a 5K.  If you know me at all you know how very unusual that was for me.  I am pretty much allergic to exercise!

For the first few weeks of our morning runs I ran without any music playing.  It was rough.  All I could hear in my head was my own labored breathing.  The more I focused on myself gasping for breath the harder it was to keep going.

So, I dug out an old iPod that was buried in my kitchen junk drawer and loaded up some music to drown out my panting!

What was playing in my head made all the difference in the world!

When all I could hear was my huffing and puffing I was discouraged and I felt every stride. When I played music with a great beat and encouraging lyrics I ran faster and harder and was AMAZED at how much progress I made!

What is playing in your head?  Are you listening to the negative thoughts that try to make their way into our heads?  Are you focusing on how hard it is to keep running? Or are you filling your mind with encouraging words (the word of God is a great place to start), good books to encourage you on your journey, podcasts that you can listen to in your car or when you exercise ~ even your own words that you say to yourself?!?

That’s me in the middle checking and double checking my iPod before we began 🙂

When I finally made it to the day of the race I had my playlist ready to go timed perfectly so that I would not run out of motivating music.  I’d love to tell you that it was spiritual worship music but I’d be lying… It was mostly 70s dance music but that’s what worked for me! As I rounded the last corner and ran the last leg of my race, Mariah Carey was blaring in my head “Make it Happen.”

What’s playing in your head?  Maybe you need to download some new tunes to help you pick up your pace!

I’d love to hear from you what you do to help encourage yourself in your race. Feel free to leave a comment!

My brother-in-law is running for public office.  During his campaign many hours have been logged onto the books for speaking to groups, developing mail pieces and getting his name out. His weekends have been spent canvasing neighborhoods meeting potential, future constituents in hopes of winning their votes.

He did not enter this race halfheartedly.  He has not wasted any time aimlessly wandering around because he knew that in order to win he needed to be very intentional and strategic. He had his eye on the prize.

God has set out a race for each of us to run. (If you’re not sure what that is start asking Him – because He has a purpose just for you!)  In order to be effective and win the prize we have to be intentional and strategic as well.

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step…  1 Cor 9:24-26

One huge advantage that we have is that our race has been completely mapped out for us by the author and perfecter of our faith, Jesus, and if we fix our eyes on Him we will find the strength and endurance to run to win!

My brother-in-law has worked hard. We are confident he will win but we must wait for the final votes to be tallied. The party has been planned, the food and balloons have been ordered. Tonight, a crowd will gather with great anticipation of a celebration.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we, also, are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses to this race we are running, this life of faith.  They are cheering us on from heavenly stands.  The food and balloons have been ordered ~ and they are ready for our victory party!! So what are we waiting for?  Let’s get moving.

Let’s run to win!!!

Since 1935 Alcoholics Anonymous has been helping people recover from the bondage of alcoholism with a 12 steps program that they work through together. The principles they follow are ones that anyone would benefit from but I particularly like Step #2:

2.  (We) Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Have you ever felt like you have gone around the same mountain in your life over and over and just can’t seem to get over it?  Maybe it’s an unhealthy behavior that you keep returning to.  Maybe fear has a grip on you that prevents you from moving forward with your life, or you just can’t seem to shake self-doubt and insecurity that has plagued you. Your adversary may be flesh and blood, a difficult relationship that you have a hard time navigating. You may be at a point where you just feel like you cannot seem to overcome that monster you face no matter how hard you try.

The bad news is you are probably right.  On your own you probably cannot.

The good news is that inside of you dwells a great treasure.  A power that can overcome anything! We need to stop trying so hard to fight our battles with the little strength that we have on our own.  We have access to the most powerful force in the universe, let Him fight on your behalf!

2 Corinthians 4:7-10
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

Pick up your sword this morning, stand with your shoulders squared and believe that you can overcome anything by the power of the Holy Spirit of God that dwells within you!

Romans 8:37 …in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Go get ’em!!

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord  Psalm 27:13-14

My mom was in a coma and I was scrambling to learn everything I could about traumatic brain injury and coming to terms with the fact that, barring a miracle, my mom would never recover completely from her car accident.

Well not never.

In between reading medical journals and all the information provided to families of head injured patients I picked up my Bible begging God for something to hold onto.  I randomly read Psalm 27. That’s when I read that verse.

That was the distinct moment when I began to intentionally live my life with an eternal perspective holding onto the hope that there will come a day when my mom will be whole and healed. I WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Of course I will see his goodness here as well but sometimes when times are tough it’s eternal perspective that I need.

Eternal perspective gives us something to hold onto when despair is threatening to overtake us.  It also helps us to prioritize the things we allow to take up our time and our emotions.  We can eliminate stressing out over things that have no eternal value.  We can determine to live everyday purposeful to invest our energy and time in showing love and furthering the kingdom of heaven.

So, everyday before breakfast, I try to make it a practice to believe that there is a place called heaven and it sets the tone for my day.

After my mom’s car accident I felt extremely vulnerable.  Up until that point in my 26 year old life I had never experienced personal tragedy. Once tragedy struck, it seemed as if a huge dam that had been protectively holding back a reservoir of potential danger had broken, flooding my heart with fear.

Fear began to haunt me.  If this could happen to my mom…what else could happen?

Suddenly I felt like a moving target. Potential danger surrounded me. It was as if I was a huge nerve ending sensing it everywhere I went. Frightening scenarios involving other members of my family, or myself, would make their way into my head and prevent me from falling asleep.  When I allowed fear to grip me, I would feel it physically, identifying with the phrase “paralyzing fear.”

One snowy night I was getting my young boys in the car to drive to a church service. I was strapping my little guy into his car seat and without warning fear struck.  In my mind’s eye I could see the article in the paper of the tragic accident involving a young family.  The temptation to take my boys back in the house and tell my husband that we needed to stay home was nagging at me.  But I knew that if I did, I would be surrendering to the fear.

Once we arrived and got settled into our seats the visiting speaker began to share and his topic was “Overcoming Fear” of all things! He called for those people who were  struggling with paralyzing fear to come forward to the front of the room so he could pray for them. In retrospect it is easy to see the attempt to keep me from being in a service that would bring me one step closer to the peace that would replace my fear.

I still have moments of fear, however, I have never become a slave to it again because of this revelation that I had that night.

Fear is the absence of trust.

I have clung to this truth ever since. If I trust God with my life, I have nothing to fear.  Not because bad things will never happen to me again but because I know that He will be with me and sustain me through whatever life brings.

I made the mistake of believing that if I held onto fear I would somehow be protecting myself against it.  What I needed to believe and still need to believe everyday (preferably before breakfast!) is that when trouble comes my way He will hide me in the shelter of His love and He will sustain me.

Most of the times the things we fear are things we can’t control. What we can control is where we put our trust and what we allow our minds to dwell on. When we put our trust in the one who is our light and our salvation fear can and will disappear.

Praying for you today, friends, that you will take the step to replace fear with trust and walk in peace!

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?

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