PUSH PAST PAIN

John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation [grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering]; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

At first I hurt myself, then I kept going. 18 stations in total and I felt pain at the first one. At each station you will have 50 seconds of work and 30 seconds of rest before switching to the next. Warm up was hard. I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest.  It hurt but I kept on running behind the rest. I stood at my own pace, I didn’t try to outrun anyone. I met the trainer at the stop and he gave us all a high five as we went in to the rooms to then start the intense cardio.  Clearly I could see this was not going to be an easy session.  At the stations were dips, toe touch sit-ups then a repeat of this three times. Hop squats were next, then back to arms by doing curls and pulls for triceps; sit up twists, a repeat of hop squats, high knee jumps, push-ups, and more bar curls.  There are about 20 other people in the room.  Some more fit then the others but each have a different shape, pace and response to the intense workout routine. We motivate each other and we focus.  We also have moments of complete anguish while going through each of the stations.  It hurts and it doesn’t get any easier at the next station.

While I was at the station for dips on triceps, since it has been a while I felt a huge pull.  I only did about 3 to 4 reps of dips.  I felt like I pulled my muscle badly.  I let out a sound of sharp pain. I tried to continue but this really hurt and it was hindering me from completing the 50 seconds just at this station. This is because my own workout routine significantly declined over the last several months. I slowed down my pace and have not been as diligent for working out as I used to. I always worked out my arms, legs and did other cardio routines. My stamina was a lot better before and you could see that my body was taking on a good shape and definition. Then I slacked off. Tonight I was paying for it in this room during such an intensified workout routine. I knew I did it before –why so much pain then, “UGH!”

The funny thing was that after I hurt myself at the dip station, I just paused and picked up another pace at the next. Then I started banging them out like nothing. Even the people near me were like “You keep going!” The trainer was even proud of me. He said I really brought it with my effort. I was surprised at how continuing through the stations made me push past the pain. despite being hurt, I just kept going. I completed the 18 station workout TWICE with the opening warm up. Boot camp session all done. It was finally over. Everybody was dripping and soaking wet like we just got out of a pool. Then comes the water and fresh air. The time of refreshing.

Driving home I thought to myself, “Wow I did it!” As much as I dread the intense workout, the pain from heavy movement, the sick feeling of nausea and the strain on ever part of my body, I was able to complete it. So much more I have to do. I thought about my life now. Everything that has hurt me and tried to destroy me. All the pain I have to endure from LIFE. It is a part of it. We can’t escape those things but we can certainly get through it until our time for refreshing comes. The bible tells us, “In this world YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION but take heart…I have overcome.” So this means that we can do it as well. The bible also tells us in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ. We need Him to go through it. We need God to help us push past the pain. When it hurts the most and we come up kicking and screaming –we have to be patient to wait til the refreshing comes. Just keep going.

If you are crying… keep going.

If you are hurting… keep going.

If you are stressing… keep going.

If everything looks like it is impossible… just keep going!

No matter what you are experiencing, just keep going. Initially things hurt a whole lot but then as you keep moving forward you will get to the point of rest. Sometimes it will hurt the whole way through but you are not alone. You are not the only one that has to go through the heavy routines and boot camps of life. Your trainer is an EXPERT, that is guiding you and others through. Watching you. Coaching you. Cheering you on. He is smiling upon you when He sees you go through and finish the assignment that He planned for you. Trust Him…He is in the best shape ever. We look up to our Trainer. We believe our Trainer. We endure with our Trainer. Our goal is to look like and function just like our Trainer. We can do it….He is WITH us! “Through God we will do valiantly.” Psalm 60:12

We are going to arrive at that place where we will be in the best shape ever…in every aspect of our lives. Just push past the pain!!!