I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
What an amazing verse this is. I have come to rely on this word of encouragement over the past few months as I prepare for the incredible journey God is sending me on. There has been a lot of adversity form the enemy, but that is to be expected because, anytime anyone does something for God, satan will try and stop it. I know this is true, because he has tried to stop me, both through physical and spiritual attacks. At the beginning of this crazy World Race experience I walked through a lot of illness, nothing major, only common cold type stuff, but it was enough to hinder some of the early fundraising I wanted to do. Later came the attacks on my mind and spirit. Doubt became a constant plague and fear was my enemy. All the little things that satan likes to use against us, I was experiencing at one time. He wanted me out of the race but, there was no way I was going to let him defeat me, not with the Holy Spirit of God by my side. In a way I think God intentionally allowed me to walk through the trials that were placed before me to prove his power and working in my life. Each challenge I faced was always a little harder than the one before but, none of them were ever too hard to conquer with Christ on my side . In this way my faith has been strengthened, every time I walked through a challenge I grew stronger. God has shown me how great his love is by being with me through every adversity, giving me the tools that I needed when I needed them.
With Christ by our side there is no challenge too great. The same way that He has strengthened me, He can strengthen you also. I want to encourage you, my friends and fellow racers, not to look at adversity with despair; but, to instead see it as a challenge, one that offers a great reward in the end.
