trust your training

On the eve of my most recent 5-k, I found myself on the phone with my sister.  She’s a seasoned runner, and gives good advice, which I needed.  I was in a panic.

Well, not a panic – just nervous.  terribly nervous.  I’d completed my couch to 5k training plan and knew in theory that I could run the distance.  But – what if I couldn’t in the morning.  So many unknowns – and running such a new thing for me – I was very unsure of myself.

Over the course of our conversation, she said to me several times, “Melody, trust your training.”  What did she mean?  You’ve done what’s necessary and that work will carry you through the race.  Because of her good and true words, I was able to put things in perspective and run with confidence.   And that was run, uphill for at least half a mile.

Since then, I’ve remembered her words many, many times.

Trust…

In my life over the last couple of months there have been a lot of instances where I’ve felt insecure and unsure, emotionally and physically.  Things happen, uncomfortable, unhappy things; I feel completely uneasy.    And I truly don’t understand the purpose at all.   Sometimes I think I’ve missed the mark and I’m headed in the wrong direction – maybe I’ve made a mistake.

But, in these moments,  I’ve also had the opportunity to remember a truth from Scripture:  All things work together for good. Because I know these words to be true, I find myself knowing one thing for sure.  Not only do I have to trust the training I’m going thru spiritually.  But, because of these difficult times, I have to trust the Trainer Himself.

Nothing in life that happens is futile.  He promises there is reason behind each leg of the race I run.  He doesn’t promise happiness and a comfortable life.  No.  However, on these long, sometimes painful parts of the journey, I am conformed to His image, for His glory.   Regardless –  good is the outcome and His glory.    No matter what, I must keep running, trusting the Trainer and His training plan.  It may be rough.  It may be heart-breaking.  I may not understand.  But, I can keep running, knowing He is in charge and His roadmap is the best for my life.

So, feet to pavement, I’ll keep going.  And believe I can, because of His promises.  As I follow Him, He will give the strength to carry on.  And that is really all I need to know.

from Romans 8:

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.