Physical and Spiritual

In Training: Consider Him

by Tina

I’ve been trying to achieve balance in my life for a while now. When we shut our business down I poured myself into writing and ministering to others. I didn’t like the idea of not having a job and contributing. I needed to feel useful. However, somewhere along the way I forgot to enjoy life. My sense of joy and wonder got a bit crushed beneath life’s waves. When I realized this I started to think about physical goals as well as spiritual ones. It’s been such a struggle, but the Lord keeps giving me everything I need. 

Why is balance so hard? Is it just me? As I’m trying to work on the physical side of things, I’m struggling with my spiritual goals now. It isn’t simply my focus. I do put effort in there. I want that, but I struggle to concentrate, and my brain can fail to absorb things. There’s more to it than that, but it would only sound like a long list of complaints.

I’m trying to cling to God, but somedays it feels as if I’m barely holding on. That’s not like me, so it’s been a difficult part of the journey. Thankfully, He never let’s go. He never loses sight of us either. I do see Him working as I struggle to seek His face. 

I went out to run/walk up my steps one day and training came to mind. I always feel as if I’m training for something, but I can never figure out what. What is God preparing me for? 

One day I went out feeling quite discouraged and asked myself, Why do I keep doing this? I keep upping my steps too. I keep increasing the goal. But repetition can become tedious and some routines can become a struggle, especially when discouragement sets in and hope begins to fade.  

I sat down to pray one day and I felt the same way about prayer that morning. It felt so hard. My first prayer was a question: Lord why is this so hard? Was it this hard for You? It must have been so difficult. 

Of course it must have been hard for Jesus. Immediately this verse came to mind: 

“Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)

I didn’t know what to do with this. I got a bit lost in the waves again, but God…. There’s always a “But God.” After a tearful morning prayer He reminded me through His precious messengers of hope about self-discipline and obedience. He also reminded me of the benefits of both. It was a bit of a kick in the pants, but it was the most loving and gentle kick in the pants. Better than being kicked in the shins. (Laughing…)

Why is self-discipline important? Self-discipline sets us up to achieve our goals. Without discipline we give up on things far too easily. However, if we keep going we get to find out what’s on the other side of all of our efforts and claim that prize. 

Obedience is just as important. Obeying God not only helps us, but it also helps others to get where they need to be as well. God truly does work all things together for good to those who love Him.

Sometimes I can’t pick myself up and dust myself off on my own. I do need all of the help He provides. I’m thankful for those gifts of grace. So I will continue to press on towards all of my goals. 

A special thanks to these messengers of hope: 

Gary ❤

Bridget ❤

Deandra ❤

Ruelha ❤

(Photo credits go to Pixabay.com users Couleur and GLady.)

38 thoughts on “In Training: Consider Him”

  1. Tina I can’t tell you how often I feel exactly like this…..exactllllllyyyyyy like this….like I’m stuck in a loop and doing the same routine and I’m just waiting and waiting and waiting on God. Those moments are so difficult and they visit just too often🤭😁🙃. We just finished dinner at home ….but while I was rolling out chapatis (Indian flat bread), this thought kept knocking on my skull…it’s okay I’mstill in training…I’m training for greater things. I’m learning through this that seems like quicksand now but it’s an essential part of my training….yes it’s been dragging. But maybe I’ve been a slow learner or the course/syllabus itself is quite something. I kept telling myself I’m in training. And now I’m reading your article. I remember our little chat/replies on my article yesterday and all this is making me smile….thinking about how everything just comes a full circle with bits and parts from each other. Thanks for sharing Tina….and being my messenger of hope 🎀😍🤩😘🥰😍🤩😘🥰😍🎀….hugs and love from India

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    1. Thank you Ruelha. That is so encouraging. It really is. It helps to know that it’s not just me. Sometimes I seriously feel like it’s me. Why can’t I do this? Why is it so hard? Why am I sinking again? One minute I am up and I think I’ve got this then a tidal wave comes along…. and nope. I don’t have this. I’m not a tuna… I’m a flounder. 😂 I keep saying that I’m floundering. Thanks for the hugs from India. I really appreciate them. ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

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      1. We’re part of a big majority…you and me and soooooo many others all just floundering…
        One day we’ll have shenanigans to narrate to somebody or at least reminisce about….😉😍🤗🎀💐🎀🤗😍…thank you for being my messenger of hope too Tina….♥️

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      2. Awe, thank you Ruelha. ❤ ❤ ❤ Yes, shenanigans and reminiscing sounds good…. ❤ We'll make it to that shore, find our wings and then we'll soar. ❤ ❤ ❤

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  2. You missed yourself off the list of messengers of hope. 😀 That is so very kind of you. Thank you. ❤️ Getting kicked in the shin does so hurt, it happens a lot in Yorkshire. You never get the full benefit of a journey if you give up early. The longer and harder the road, the greater the end results. God bless you Tina.

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    1. I can’t thank myself…. 😀 I didn’t help myself any. I’ve been floundering. Still am… One minute she’s up the next minute she’s down. Waves… I’m getting sea sick. Where is that dry land? I’m not cut out for sea life. I need a new metaphor. Thanks Superdad. God Bless you too.

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  3. Balance is hard for me too. I tend to get tunnel vision on some things and lose sight of others. I am so glad God never gives up on us. And I am glad that you felt I was a messenger of hope. I feel the same way about you! Every time I read your posts I am nodding in agreement because I know exactly what you are saying. And I always walk away encouraged. Blessings to you, my friend! ❤️

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    1. Thank you so much, Bridget. Yes, you are definitely a messenger of hope. Your posts are always so comforting and inspiring. I’m glad you can relate to my posts and walk away encouraged. Glad that I am not the only one who finds balance challenging. Your friendship encourages me so much. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and being such a blessing. I hope your week is going better than last week. Blessings to you too. ❤

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      1. Awe thank you! What a sweet comment! You made my day! And I feel the same way about you! I am so glad God brought us together this way! He is so good! My week has been better, not necessarily because things changed, but because I have realized that God is pruning me and I just need to hang on for the ride! LOL. Thank you for asking 💕

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    1. It does help to keep things in perspective when you can think straight and figure out the lesson. Ugg… definetly having some difficulties with my brain being foggy these days. It’s not helping!

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      1. 🙂 I know the feeling. I’m not sure it’s brain fog for me so much as not feeling sure of what the purpose is for this time. I think I know but then I move forward and just find a totally closed door. I am experiencing some breakthroughs in the area of physical health for me though which is good. It can be such a puzzle but I’m ridiculously persistent, lol. Do you think your brain fog is health related?

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      2. Yeah, it could be health related. It could be anxiety related. Been experiencing some of that. It could be we are too isolated and I don’t have enough space to feel peaceful or it could be thyroid related. I have to go for a blood test to make sure it’s not related to having thyroid disease.

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      3. Oh dear thyroid issues are so common these days. Everyone of my aunts, my mom, and my grandma have Hashimoto’s/hypothyroid. I hope you get answers. And yes isolation is doing it to me too. Not sure how I’d manage if I couldn’t be online.

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      4. Hashimoto’s runs in my family too , my mom, my grandma, and I. My brother has the opposite– Graves disease/ hyper thyroidism. Yes, we can definitely be thankful that we have the internet. Definitely need that. I would be in bed crying all the time if I didn’t. 😕

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      5. Oh wow! Hey FYI there is a supplement that helps some people with Hashimoto’s not feel tired all the time. A lot of my family members were taking their thyroid pills but still feeling tired and emotional. It’s called Benfotiamine -special type of vitamin B1 you can find on amazon. Totally safe to try even if it doesn’t end up helping. For those it does help it’s pretty dramatic relief. I apologize if you already know this. Just wanted to share in case you haven’t come across it before. 🙂

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      6. Oh you know what… I took that for a while. Probably not long enough. I should try it again and see how I feel while taking it, but my fatigue has been a lot better since I started doing protein smoothies and walking daily. Now I have some sleep issues. That can take it out of me. Last night my sleep issues was cats that wanted into the bedroom. They kept me up a bit. I had to give in and let them in. 😁

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      7. 🙂 It might not have been the right thing for you. Trust me, when it is you can’t live without it. Selenium is a good one to try when you’ve got a week thyroid and have been under a lot of stress like we all have. Don’t need to take it long term just for a couple weeks. I think I need to be increasing my protein. Thanks for the reminder:). Good luck trying to get uninterrupted sleep!

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  5. Tina, how well I know. I struggle much in the self-discipline area, both physically and spiritually. I find I go well for a time on one or the other, sometimes both, only to be sidelined with the stress of the day, be it my physical pain, relationship woes, kid or money worries….sometimes, all of the above. And I can be rather unforgiving of myself when it happens, unfortunately, which further derails me with the distraction of kicking my own seat-and not nearly so kindly as God does nor in the way I need. 😏 And yet, there is that hope found only in Christ! I forget sometimes just how much opposition He faced here on this earth. It *is* something He understands! So glad He doesn’t give up on us, even when we might feel like it ourselves! And so glad for you, dear friend, for bringing us your honesty and your timely reminder! Blessings! ❤

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    1. Thank you so much, Marisa. Yep… I can be hard on myself too. I find it hard to find the balance between showing myself grace and reasonable self examination. Grace doesn’t win too often. I need work their too. It’s definitely good to voice these things honestly. When we do we realize we aren’t the only ones who feel this way. Blessings back at ya. ❤

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  6. Self- discipline and obedience, two things that can be hard but we know that they can be so worthwhile for us. I am working on both and I hope to grow in those areas so that they become like second nature to me. I have a long way to go but like you said we are in training.
    Thanks for sharing Tina 🤗

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  8. You’ve spoken a lot of wisdom in this post Tina. If we can just remember that even when we feel we can’t hold on a moment longer, He is holding on to us in His righteous right hand. A place of safety. A place of comfort. A place of healing. A place of perfect love.

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  9. Ah my scribbler, through the labor of frustration you have birth a wonderful post with such wonderful nuggets.

    Self discipline, obedience…just two continuous lessons I keep facing. They’re not all immediately fulfilling. But oh the reward when it actually comes. Whew.

    PS: I love your …There’s always a “But God

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    1. Yes, it’s not always easy. We weren’t promised that, right? Oh, yes, if your watching and waiting there’s always a “But God.” It would be easy to miss though if we’re not mindful. The Lord is faithful. ❤

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  10. I love how real you are with your struggles and that very thing is so encouraging especially when you never know who may be reading and relating…and being pointed to Jesus!
    The idea of the blogging world is so incredible to me because of opportunity in reaching the lost. The struggles you talk about, Tina, are prevalent worldwide and it’s beautiful that you show Jesus as the answer to overcoming…praise Him!!

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    1. Thanks so much for the encouragement! It goes a long way. It really does. It’s so easy to feel like our struggles aren’t amounting to much. But you are so right. We often don’t know how what we share is impacting others. A lot of the time people just don’t say. Maybe they can’t. That’s okay, but it’s really nice when someone does, so I try to encourage others when their words have helped me. Thanks for being an encourager and sharing your helpful insights. Love you Ali! ❤

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      1. I just think it’s so much more effective to talk about it and if we look in God’s word we see countless stories of struggles being shared.. I can’t even name any because literally almost every book in the Bible contains a hurdle and yet then we’re always pointed to the victory found in Him!! The Bible is evidence that’s it’s okay and normal to share those struggles, to encourage, and then to build up and point to Jesus, It’s such comfort knowing this. ❤️take care!!! 🙏🙏🙏

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