I am an awkward runner—not gracefully athletic but more like an enthusiastic, uncoordinated giraffe. I have learned to accept this. I run anyway.
I feel the pavement beneath my feet with every step. The hill taunts me and tries to steal my breath. But what really makes me want to quit are the accusations inside: “You’re going so slow. You’re not doing a good job. This must be your worst run ever.”
I used to listen to that voice. Until I discovered something: every time I heard it, I ended up with a time that was my personal best.
Because the reality is, in the moments when we want to give up, when we feel weak and exhausted, when we think we can’t do it . . . we’re actually getting stronger.
We’re not tired because we’re failing; we’re tired because we’re fighting.
We’re not weary because we’re weak; we’re weary because we’re winning the battle to go to the next level in our lives.
This is the scandalous secret: when we want to quit, it really means we’re making progress.
So I’m learning to hear that voice in a different way. When those accusations come (which they still do), I think, I must be running harder and faster than ever before—it just doesn’t feel like it. It’s often the same in the rest of our lives too.
Never give anyone or anything the power to shame you. You’re braver than you feel, stronger than you know, and loved more than you’ve yet to see. — Fiercehearted
Let’s not allow the enemy of our hearts to convince us to stop because we think we’re not doing well enough. Instead, let’s recognize the effort and the pain for what they are—signs of growth.
Yes, sometimes the hurt means we are injured and need to rest. But often it simply means we are breaking through what has held us back and pushing with all our might toward what God has for us.
In the place between what is comfortable and what seems like it will surely kill us is often where we become all we’re created to be.
I finish my run and, sure enough, I’ve dropped almost a minute from my time. It seems small, but to me it’s huge. I’m not taking that victory lightly. I’ve earned every teeth-gritting second of it. I didn’t quit. And I didn’t die. In this world, that’s the best and bravest we can do some days.
The voices inside are finally silent and so it’s my turn to speak. I say to all the lies that chased me and nipped at my heels, “I’m stronger than you think.”
Even if I don’t always feel it, I’m learning to believe it.
XOXO,
Holley Gerth
P.S. This post is an excerpt from my brand new ebook: Strong, Brave, Loved. Would you join us for the 21 Day Strong, Brave, Loved Challenge? We’re two weeks in, but you can join any time. Visit this post to learn more and then head to my Facebook or Instagram pages for each day’s challenge and encouragement. You can easily start at the beginning – Day One – because the Challenge will stay up on both Facebook and Instagram!
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Right now, we’re doing a special link-up series to celebrate Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely. You’re a fiercehearted woman so I’m asking you to pour out a little love and courage with your words every Wednesday {the link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post, especially if it’s about living fully and loving bravely, and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
When you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth!
{click to tweet that you’re joining me here today}
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