Running hills is about my least favorite workout and if given a choice I’d choose to run a flat route versus a hilly route any day. However, I don’t live in a flat area. It got me to thinking how much running hills is kind of like facing the trials in our life. They are unavoidable! We are going to face them no matter what. Not one person is immune to life’s struggles.
“I have told you these thing, so that in me you may have peace, In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Ever notice when running uphill it seems like the harder you push yourself the worse you feel? Even though you can see the top it feels like you are never going to get there. I find myself looking at the next crack in the road and trying to run to that point because the top seems so far away. Life’s struggles are often the same way. Sometimes the more you work to overcome them then bigger mess you find yourself in. It can be overwhelming. The best thing you can do it to pray for strength just to get through the day or sometimes just the next hour.
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
The reward of knowing that you’ll get to take it easy on the downhill is often enough to keep us motivated as we run to the top. When we are going through tough times in life or are under the pressure of a big deadline, we take comfort in that our struggles will eventually end and we’ll get to relax. This motivates you to keep going despite the tough times.
“…But we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5: 3-5
Once you reach the top of a hill it’s often tempting to think we’ve got it made as we run back downhill. However, downhill running poses its own set of problems and if you’re not careful you can get hurt. Same is true in life. Once we’ve come through one of life’s trials, it’s tempting to let our guard down and feel like we’ve got everything under control.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1Corinthians 16:13
The hills we run and the trials in life will ultimately make us stronger and build our character. As much as I’d rather not run hills, I know that I will encounter them in a race so I’d better practice running them. Practicing them will make me a stronger runner. Every time I go through hard times in life, they are ultimately going to make me a better person. I’ll be better prepared to handle future circumstances and they will enable me to fulfill the purpose God has create for me.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 2-4
