Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, ² [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3 (AMP)

When I was in junior high, I ran track. I was the second to the fastest runner in my school. I was a sprinter who ran the 50- and 100-yard dash, the 2020 relay, as well as the long jump and hurdles. One thing I noticed about the long-distance runners was that they had stamina and endurance. They paced themselves to be able to finish the race.

On the other hand, I would position my feet on the starter’s block while listening intently to the sound of the gun and push off the starter’s block to begin running. At times, one of the runners would jumpstart due to anticipation and all the runners would have to start over again.

As I reflect on Heb 12, it is wise to release any baggage or distractions in this season and keep your eyes focused on Jesus. The world is heavy and it’s full of noise. We’re fighting opposition, oppression, weariness and spiritual warfare on every side. It will take stamina and endurance to keep moving. When you learn how to pace yourself, you’re able to overcome physical, mental, emotional and spiritual exhaustion. It’s necessary to slow down, rest and reflect when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Some people want to push ahead and disregard stressful situations or circumstances. They ignore their feelings all together. You should be honest with your feelings, but do not let your feelings rule over your mental, emotional or spiritual well-being. Don’t allow the world to dictate how you should feel either. Suppressing your emotions is dangerous and extremely unhealthy. Finding a support system or a trusted friend to talk to will help you release toxic feelings.

As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to take some time out to rest and focus on your priorities. We do not need to wait for the New Year for reflection. It’s important to honor God and rest in His presence regularly. Don’t allow the pressures of gathering with family wear you thin. Safeguard yourself from any energy drainers or negative Nancy’s.

In Colossian 1:11 it states, “Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

The secret to having contentment amid long suffering is endurance and letting go of your fleshy desires. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4

Although Thanksgiving is a time of reflection of gratitude, it can also be a time of greed. We live in a spoiled and commercially motivated generation. Marketers have pushed Black Friday two weeks prior to Thanksgiving! Despite the financial struggles people are dealing with, their intention is to push more commercialism into the mindset of consumers.

Chasing after the next shiny new thing does not provide contentment. It only triggers you to chase after more stuff which fills you with a void. The Lord only quenches the desires of the heart. Surely, the Lord wants us to enjoy our life, and He will provide for us, but we should not desire material wealth, status and gain more than Jesus.

We are entering unstable territory. Economies are being shaken, and faith is being tested. It’s a wakeup call. Do not put your trust in earthly things. The Lord is pruning us from the material world to shed the weight and sin of greed, manipulation, control, selfishness, envy, jealousy, comparison and competition. He is also prompting us to make a definitive decision. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matt 6:24 (NIV)

“Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.” Matt 6:19-21 (AMP)

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:25-34

When we release the stress of materialism, you can gain and embrace contentment. It’s having the ability to step out of the physical world and into the spiritual world. It’s not religion. It’s finding Jesus and having a direct relationship with Him.

So, do not allow the pressures of the holiday season make you depressed. You may not have everything you want. You may be alone or grieving a loved one but open your heart to the presence of God. He is your comforter, protector and waymaker. These are not merely words. It’s the living truth because I’m a witness of His miraculous working power over my life. Everything that I’ve experienced has led me to this point and I will continue to run on with endurance – not to reach a destination but to embrace the continuous flow of God’s love and grace on this journey. Wherever you are on this journey – God will meet you right there. Ready, set, go!

I have seen something else under the sun:

The race is not to the swift
    or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
    or wealth to the brilliant
    or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.

Eccl 9:11

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Bible Meditations

Isaiah 40:31

Heb 10:36

James 1:2-4

Gal 6:9

Rom 5:3-5

Lam 3:22-24

Romans 2:7

James 1: 12-20

Rom 12:12

1 Corth 10:13

Rom 15:4-5

Rom 8:28

James 5:11

1 Corth 15:58

James 5:7

1 Pet 4:12

2 Tim 4:7