The Bible reminds us to lay aside every weight, and the sin that easily trips us up, and to run with patience the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1).
To truly stay in this race, we must be people of gratitude, faith, and mercy. It takes a grateful heart to keep your spirit lifted even in your daily chores—cooking, cleaning, or simply walking through your home. That’s when worship becomes powerful. A song from your heart becomes a sweet-smelling savor to God. Here’s an example that blesses me:
(1) Your steadfast love reaches the heavens
(2) Your righteousness touches the clouds
(3) Your faithfulness stands like majestic mountains
(4) And Your wisdom runs deep like the oceans
(5) Then You came to me,
(6) Filling my heart with kindness and truth
(7) I found peace in the shadow of Your wings
(8) I feast at Your abundant table
(9) And drink from the rivers of Your joy
(10) You are my King! (repeat 4x)
But let’s not deceive ourselves: someone bound by witchcraft, anger, unforgiveness, hatred, or bitterness cannot run this race effectively. The spirit must be free, the hands must be holy, and the heart must be clean.
Yes, as believers we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). These are part of our spiritual journey because we have chosen Jesus Christ.
Still, I encourage you: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:7-8).
We must walk in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). The race is not to the swift, but to those who endure by grace, holding fast to Jesus.
