Fun on the Run

Today I had the awesome privilege of encouraging runners and walkers at the Run For Courage around Lake Merritt. It surprised me how people responded to the simplest phrases – Keep smiling, you got this, keep breathing, keep moving it’s worth it.

Encouragement is contagious. Other people who weren’t even part of today’s race were encouraged by my words as they ran by. They smiled back at me and said nice things. It spread beyond the course. One man joined the pack just to be encouraged. You should have seen all the smiles and high fives I got. I, not only offered but, received encouragement in return.

Isn’t it incredible how a few words of support can make you can run harder, faster, and farther than you ever believed possible. You tend to dig deeper, even smile through the pain as long as there is someone there to say, “I believe in you.”

I started thinking about Hebrews 12:1 and how it says, “We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.” I’ve always imagined what they might be saying to us – Hang in there. You can make it. They’ve already made it. They know what it takes to run this race. Their stories let us know that it’s not about perfection, or strength, or sophistication, but faith, trust, and perseverance.

Your words have power (Proverbs 18:21). Use them to build up someone else (Ephesians 4:29). And no matter where you are in this race, whether you’re walking or running, stay the course. Keep going. Make it to the end. It counts!

The Tongue Can Bring Death or Life

Words can cut like a knife and sting like lemon extract permeating the wound.

Some people’s words are life giving, while others can deal death’s blow. The worst is when it’s someone closest to you, yet they are the best candidate to deal a lethal blow.

Before you look for that person in your life ask yourself, “Is it me?” Do your words ever get careless? Do you lob them across the room in conversation as a combatant would a hand grenade?

We have options and the wisest man whom ever lived, King Solomon, gives us this advice The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 NIV

Who do you want to be?

I had an experience recently that made me realize, I want to be the person who uses my words to heal rather than harm. It will take slowing down my reaction time and being quick to listen. But the painful ordeal of being on the receiving end of such barbs was all the lesson I needed.

Who are you surrounding yourself with?

Now I am not talking about people who will always tell you what you want to hear. Enlist people willing to tell you the truth even when the truth might hurt. Not because of their delivery, but because they love you enough to take the risk.

Solomon also tells us, Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. Proverbs 27:6 NLT

Be gracious with your words, not flattering, people know the difference. What we all need is someone who will speak with kindness and conviction without malice.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NIV

How will you choose to proceed?

Life After Debt

My grandma had this saying, “Put feet on your prayers.” Which meant, expect to put in some effort to see the realization of what you’re asking for from God. Not going ahead God in impatience, but like Elisha’s encouragement to the widow to do her part in the miracle God was about to perform.

Story found in 2 Kings Chapter 4:1-7

Her Husband dies and a creditor wastes no time coming to collect the outstanding debt from this grieving widow. So heartless, he was willing to settle the debt by taking the only family she had left – her two sons.

The despondent widow goes to the prophet Elisha for help. His reply begins with, “How can I help you?” and quickly turns to let me help you help yourself. Leading her to realize what she already possessed – oil. Then, Elisha directs her to boldly ask for help from her neighbors.

A miracle happened, but it wasn’t without the widow’s participation. The “little” oil she had, kept flowing until the innumerable set of pots was filled. Once again there was something she had to do – “Go, sell the oil…”

When the widow asked for help she wasn’t given a handout. Admittedly there are times when we need someone to step in, but more often we gain much more when challenged to be resourceful and take some ownership in the process.

Are there times when you’re so stressed out and too close to the issue that you forget the resources that are readily available to you?

Who would be willing to help you when you’re struggling? Do you remember to reach out to them when you are in the thick of it?

Name a friend who is good at encouraging you and helpful at pointing out your strengths, especially during tough times? If you don’t have someone start praying and start paying attention to people in your life who are naturally encouraging. They just might be the answer to your prayers.

Your Train of Thought

My girlfriend and I are standing in her kitchen as she’s making dinner. She sits a bowl of steamed veggies on the edge of the counter. Before she can turn back to the microwave, my impulse overtakes me and I reach out to push the bowl further onto the counter top. Simultaneously apologizing and pushing, I explain that I could just see that bowl of goodies ending up on the floor, so I had to do something. Her son walks in on my explanation and doesn’t skip a beat – “Oh, you are a disaster seer just like my mom.” It was the best description I had ever heard for my over active mind that always expects the worst and does everything possible to avert the “inevitable.”

I don’t really know what is going to happen, but my trains of thought keep me hopping.

Christine Caine’s book The Core Issue has a chapter entitled With All Your Mind, in which she details the effects of our trains of thought – where they take us, how they derail us, and how they can determine our final destination. She has this to say, “At times we have allowed our thoughts to travel down a random track and end up concluding ridiculously negative scenarios that will never actually happen.”

What thoughts are currently taking you off track?

The things we think determine our behavior, positively or negatively. The way to be sure our thoughts have a positive effect is to be careful where we allow our minds to travel. When we focus on news headlines, gossip, failed attempts in our past, we are bound to be stymied by fear, regret, apathy and whole host of negative trains of thought. In turn, when we focus on God’s word, compliments we’ve received, and our efforts to do our best, it is amazing how quickly the train can switch tracks.

Where else can you go for positive affirmation?

Here are some truths from God’s word to guide you – Philippians 4:8 tells us what is worth thinking about, while 2 Corinthians 10:5 exhorts us to make our thoughts obedient to Christ. God knew that our minds were key in living this Christian life; that’s why through Paul he commands us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2). And if that wasn’t enough, we are told in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that we have the mind of Christ. Of course that takes time to develop, and the Holy Spirit, who is in us, can help.

What other scriptures about the mind have you found helpful?

Let me give you just a few more words of encouragement from Caine. “Changing habits of thought that we’ve had for 10, 20, or 40 years is not easy or instant. Let’s face it, we didn’t start thinking this way overnight, and we’re not going to change overnight.” And even though we know this, we can be hard on ourselves in the process. So here are some more encouraging words to end on –“If we resolve to keep getting on the right train of thought, we will always get off at the right destination.”

What self-destructive thoughts do you need to cut off at the pass?
When do you need to switch tracks or just abandon a particular train altogether?