Recently, I had noticed I was struggling to run like I normally do. It felt way more labored than usual and I struggled to run the same number of miles in a week as I normally run. Then I realized that I was still injured. Some time in May, I injured my ankle. Later that day it was swollen, and I never really knew what I had done to it. Even though I was hurting, I kept running. I have continued to nurse that ankle even to this day.
I hadn’t realized the effect of running through pain until that moment.
It made me think of life, and how many of us are navigating it while in huge amounts of pain, but we’ve had the pain so long we don’t even really notice it, all the while wondering why life feels so hard.
Some of us are walking wounded.
Then God was showing me how over the last month He has instructed me when I need to shorten a run or when I need to walk a bit instead. I had been listening to that voice and even took some extra rest days. But even though I knew I was following His instruction, I was still frustrated because I like to run my miles. It makes me feel healthy and strong. I don’t like to feel physically weak. I even repeat these words to myself when I run, “I am strong and full of life”. No kidding, I really do that.
Sometimes, even the strongest people need to take a break. We all need rest. We all need to heal at one time or another. Do you have the strength to do that?
Sometimes, the strongest thing to do is to move through the pain. Keeping in step with Holy Spirit and listening to His direction and instruction takes surrender. It takes that fruit of the Spirit that keeps coming up…. Self-Control.
Do you have the self-control to follow His directions? It can be a challenge, but it’s always worth it.
Today I hope you will take a minute and let God rack over your heart to see if you have any hidden wounds. Do you feel a tug of pain? If so, take a minute and acknowledge it before the Lord and let Him direct you through whatever the healing process will look like for you. He tailors healing for each of us. He is an intimately loving Father.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:2-4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4
Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:33
365 Days in the Presence 