When I go running for more than a few minutes, my focus changes. As fatigue sets in, I have to motivate myself to keep going. I become more aware of the finish line. How much farther do I have to go? Will I be able to make it without stopping?
How in touch are you with how you are doing emotionally? What if I told you there is an easy way to find out and build your endurance and confidence at the same time?
When I become fatigued while running, it’s nearly impossible to not notice the strain on my body. But what is more interesting is how my physical health and my emotional health surface together.
God made our brains to store similar experiences together. Running triggers my brain to focus on the theme of whatever is desperately concerning me. When my body protests because of the physical strain, my brain brings into my awareness my most serious emotional concerns. I become flooded with what matters most to me.
To grow in endurance, you have to test your limits. The testing identifies weak areas that need strengthening. Growth is stressful, usually requiring an upfront investment for a future payoff. Growth costs you your immediate state of relaxation.
But the stress is worth the reward because God gives us so much when we trust Him.
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Romans 5:1-5 NLT
God is saying your problems and trials lead to a satisfying, secure, and confident hope. The development of character is the proof of your salvation–your entrance into heaven and eternal life.
The next time you want to feel better, try wearing yourself out exercising (or whatever works for you). Then note what surfaces in your mind. That could be an area of weakness that God is working on so you can feel more confident.
We see life as a painful struggle, but God sees it as endurance training. And endurance results in many good things such as peace, confidence, and character.
Matt’s books,
, ,
and 
, contain practical exercises that help God’s truth spring to life.
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