Staying Strong and Focused

With less than a month and two more long runs left before Boston, this weekend's long run (23) through downtown Asheville got underway a little earlier than normal. Friday nights best intentions for a deep, restful sleep fell by the wayside because I allowed myself to become distracted, distraught, and ultimately depressed. There you go, I finally admit it - I am human and capable of those feelings! Boy, was that freeing! So anyway, I finally drifted off at 1-something, only to wake up at 3-something and figured I wasn't going to fall back asleep with my mind in the tank. So I get up and get going. A run through Asheville at that time pretty much guarantees you'll encounter people in rare form. I was doing well as long as I stayed within the lighted areas, where I could see what was coming my way. You can imagine the streaming commentary when folks encounter someone at that hour doing anything healthy. On one back street, two cars sped by and then came to a halt just in front of me. My smooth, easy strides and steady breathing changed literally in a heartbeat. My mind raced and I ran through every potential scenario, most of which I knew would never play out but I couldn't avoid it. I kept running but lost focus, for obvious reasons. The run was no longer easy. Because I had allowed myself to take the focus off my run and apply it to my current circumstances, it felt like work. I labored through the next few minutes wondering again why it seemed like such a good idea to venture out so early (or late, depending upon your perspective). Nothing ever came of the two cars, they pretty much stayed put and I kept running. Eventually, I regained my focus and stride, but it took awhile. When we allow our minds and bodies to become sidetracked - especially by negative thoughts and scenarios which rob us of our joy and typically never play out the way our minds imagine - we become weakened both physically and mentally and the chances of us staying on course and living out our Purpose drop exponentially. Anger, fear, resentment, doubt - all of these feelings can take over quickly and render us physically and mentally tapped. But that stuff doesn't come from God. He's all about providing us the strength to get through any circumstance, as long as we stay focused on Him and His promise to us - from Romans 8:28....

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.

So STAY FOCUSED AND BELIEVE! His best for us is yet to come.