The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak

So... where to start on my first blog entry...

This morning, a group of us that are training for a half-marathon in October, met to run a few miles together. One of the leaders felt that we needed to talk about some of the mental challenges that come while running long distances (or any distance for that matter). Mental challenges are common, from the most novice of runners to some of the most accomplished. This recent article in Runner's World proves that: Kara Goucher's Mind Gains at Runner's World.

Before Jesus Christ was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemenee, he was spending time in prayer. After trying a few unsuccessful attempts to get His disciples to join Him, He said this: "Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Mark 14:38, New Living Translation)." Later in the Bible, the Apostle Paul writes this: "I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. (Romans 7:18, The Message)."

The mind is a battlefield on which we fight daily battles between what we should do and what we feel like doing, between what we are able to do and what we think we can't do, between what we are called to do and what we are afraid to do. So many times, because our flesh is weak, we give into feelings rather than walking in and standing on Truth. For instance: many times on a run, especially when our blood sugar begins to drop a little, our mind will tell us that we are tired and can't continue running... but the truth is we can continue to run. Our legs are far from spent... our heart is far from over-taxed. Our blood sugar is just a little low, so our brain is telling us we need to quit when all we really need is just a shot of carbohydrates to kick us back into gear... or maybe we just need to take our mind off how we feel and focus on the mechanics of running (breathing, stride, etc.) until the desire to quit goes away.

All of us know that the battle between what we think or feel, and what is actually true occurs in more areas than just running.  It happens through out life.  It happens on the job.  It happens in our relationships.  It happens in our spiritual life.  Many of us may have a strong will and a lot of self control... but like Jesus said, the flesh is weak.  If we rely on our will and determination and sticktoitiveness, eventually that is going to fail.  No matter how willing we are, the flesh is weak.  So what do we do?  How do we win that battle in the mind?  How do we hold fast and walk (or run) according to what is true?

For those of you who are sincere disciples of Jesus, there is good news for you. If you gave your life to Jesus, then you have been made into a new creation - a new person that is now able (through God's power and ability working in you and through you) to walk accoring to the truth and have been freed from being bound by the limitations of your flesh.

The Apostle Paul (while he was locked up in a Roman prison) gave this advice: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8, New King James Version)."  So taking his advice, let's meditate on some things that are true:

• "It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13
• "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones." Proverbs 3:5-8
• "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
• "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6b
• "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:3-5

I could go on and on, but hopefully you get the picture.  There have been many times that God has called me to do some pretty challenging things and I took on the challenge by faith in the Truth... but there have also been many times where God has called me to some challenging things and I have talked myself out of it.  The times where I took on the challenge by faith in His grace, these scriptures were in the forefront of my mind, keeping me focused on the Truth.

I'll have more on this later... but for now... let's run the race.