Keep going…
“The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].” – Habakkuk 3:19
While living in Lake Tahoe, I started absorbing the beauty and benefits connected to running. My friend Carmen, whom I’d run alongside, said, “You’re going to become addicted!”
As the words tumbled out of her mouth, I thought, “You’re crazy – addicted to running. There’s no way!”
Growing up, I ran track, yet the image I held in my mind of running was not addicting! I saw our long-distance team getting dropped off miles from town on a gravel road and told by our coach to run back to the school. With wind and dust blowing across the fields, we’d fight our way back. There was nothing too addicting about that image!!
I soon learned that when I took on the attitude of running as a gift, I indeed became addicted. This dedicated time cleared my mind. It challenged my body. It brought me places a car could not take me. It got me around inspiring people who believed in putting effort forth – little by little – to keep their minds and bodies strong.
It taught me that dirt road running was not punishment. Instead, it was a gift of grit – proving to ourselves that we really can consistently do hard things, and when we do, we’ll be stronger on the other side.
The scene is much the same for many chapters of all our lives. Our perspective shifts when we align our thinking to what value “this” uncomfortable scenario adds. This chosen mindset allows us to go through and not give up. It guides us to enable difficulties to help us develop “hinds’ feet.” It is easy to quit in hard times; it takes fierce faith to keep going.
In my early 40’s, I was diagnosed with cancer. A portion of my treatment was enduring rounds of chemo. I kept running in my routine because it brought clarity and normalcy to my upside-down world. Yet, as my body weakened, my pace and endurance declined. I felt defeated only steps from our driveway when I walked out the door for my morning runs. What I once found “addicting” I now was finding frustrating. I couldn’t even get to the park – less than a ¼ of a mile from my doorstep – before needing to walk.
This humbling experience brought me to the scripture above and reminded me that we learn by going through things.
This is how we gain experience, maturity, and depth. God says in His word that our high places are not on the mountaintops with no problems, and everything is going our way. Instead, our high places are trouble, suffering, and responsibility. And He promises that He will give us hinds’ feet to endure.
The visual of this scripture was imprinted on my heart and inspired me to log my daily wins. Most were not noteworthy, yet they represented progress. They reminded me of my “dirt road running” days. This was my daily discipline for a couple of years as I humbly and patiently built my stamina back up – one small (sometimes super, super small) – intentional choice at a time.
I encourage you to “keep going” regardless of your story. Decide to come up a little higher in your choices. Your daily decisions stack up and add up. So start where you are and MOVE!
Your dedication to doing so will not only add value to your life but also holds the potential to inspire others to lean into their worlds a bit stronger. So I urge you not to let defeat take over. Remember, life does not get easier – you get stronger!
One day you will tell your story of overcoming what you’ve gone through. And it will become part of someone else’s survival guide. – Brene Brown
Photo by Averee Kreutzfeldt at Bar 33 Ranch, Blaisdell, North Dakota