“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 This piece of scripture is extremely close to my heart. About 5 years ago, I began running as a form of exercise. I started out running about 2 miles at a time 3 times a week, then 3 miles at a time, then 4 miles at a time up to 5 times a week. I felt my body growing leaner, stronger. Every time I pushed past those uncomfortable feelings of sore muscles, burning chest, and side stitches, my endurance grew! Looking back at that time, I now realize that my relationship with God was working in the same way. Every time I turned to God for strength, resisted the enemy, or stood firm in God’s word, my spiritual endurance grew! There were certainly times that I experienced uncomfortable feelings, just like when I’m running, and still do at times. But, patiently and faithfully relying on God continued to grow my endurance, and continues to keep me focused on the finish line! God showed me through this journey how important it is for us to maintain all aspects of our health - physically, mentally, and spiritually - in order to achieve the beautiful plan He has for us. I now use my endurance journey to help others. I recently began my Run with Endurance ministry to help women move forward boldly in their lives, with confident endurance, knowing God created each and every one of us thoughtfully and purposefully! I am thankful that God continues to grow my endurance daily, physically and spiritually. I now run marathons, and each race and every training run in between, I run for God. It’s my little way of showing Him that I am focused and will never give up, I am ready to run this race with endurance! See the following pages to run this race yourself or grab some girlfriends and run it together!
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