Weak Pecs. Strong Mind.

 
Feet pounding the pavement.  Heart beating fast.  Lungs crying for air.   Sweat running down my face.  Legs throbbing.  Side cramping.  Would I make it? 

A couple weeks ago, I decided to run from the girls’ house to my house with Pat and Laura. 7 miles.  Let’s be clear that I’ve never run more than 6 miles in my life, and that was probably around 10 years ago.   Since that time, the most I’ve run is 3 miles, and those moments have been few and far between. 

I wasn’t exactly the perfect candidate to attempt a 7 mile run.  But I attempted it, and I accomplished it.  And my time wasn’t too shabby. 

Did I get tired?  Of course.  Did I want to quit?  Heck yeah!  Especially after mile 4.  But I kept going.  I kept pushing through the pain. 

I’ve been learning recently that the phrase “It’s all in your mind” is more true than I realized.   During my time here in Gainesville, I’ve been working out five days a week with Triumph Fitness, led by my good friend Colby Gardner.  During this time, I haven’t just grown physically stronger

(though I have, ladies.  I really have), but I’ve also grown mentally stronger. 

When I struggle to do that next push-up, does the blame lie more with my weak pectoral muscles or with my weak mind?  I’m learning that the answer is typically my weak mind.  My muscles are more than capable of holding up if I just convince my mind that I can do one more push-up. 

Transfer that idea to my spirit.  When I struggle to get through a difficult day, does the blame lie more with my weak spirit or with my weak mind?  Again, the answer is typically my weak mind.  My God hasn’t just given me a body that can stand most anything, but a capable spirit as well; it’s always my mind I have to convince. 

A few days ago, I was having an off-day.  I felt apathetic and was bombarded with an old nemesis in temptations of the past.  I felt myself strangely longing for the life I had been living before coming to CGA, a hellish life that was filled with apathy and fulfilling my own desires.  A life that I do not want to go back to. 

And I realized I needed to fight.  Though my mind felt weak, I convinced it that my spirit was stronger and that I was capable of victory.  And I won.  I won because God has placed His Spirit in me, a spirit that is capable of overcoming anything. 

Satan knows that our minds can be weak.  He knows it, and he’ll use it, filling our minds with lies.  But we are capable of victory.  We have strong spirits and strong bodies that can overcome.  Choose to fight.  Choose to push your mind, no matter how hard it may seem.  Because God’s love is always worth it, and His plans are always better. 

What do you need to convince your mind to fight?  I promise your spirit and body are capable.