Push past that wall!

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”

Our Bible verse for today: “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Push past the wall”

In my younger years I was a runner. Well, okay, maybe not a “runner.” I have short legs with a 30-inch inseam. I’m not built for speed. I was more like a jogger, a plodder. I could go a long way – I just couldn’t do it quickly. Once I ran (jogged) a half-marathon (13.2 miles). It took me forever but I eventually crossed the finish line.

When you are running a long distance, at some point you hit what runners call “the wall.” It’s the point at which you are struggling and feeling like you can’t go any further. You are right on the verge of quitting. You have hit the wall and if you allow it too, the wall will stop you and you will not finish your race. But if you grit your teeth and push yourself past the wall, you will catch your second wind. In other words, you will suddenly have a sense of renewed energy and strength that will carry you the rest of the way.

What’s true with respect to running is also true with respect to New Years resolutions. At some point you will hit the wall and you will have to decide if you are going to quit or push yourself past it, catch your second wind, and keep going.

The second Friday in January is commonly referred to as “Quitter’s Friday.” More New Years resolutions are supposedly abandoned on Quitter’s Friday than on any other day of the year. In other words, most New Years resolutions last about two weeks and then the person goes right back to their old way of living. I don’t know how true “Quitters Friday” is, but for the last four months I have been working with a personal trainer at a local gym. He confirms the idea of Quitters Friday. He says that in the first week of January there are more new members in the gym than at any other time of the year. But that quickly starts to diminish in the weeks that follow and by mid-February many of those new members are nowhere to be seen.

But that doesn’t have to be true of you. This is where a little personal discipline is called for. This is also where the power of the Holy Spirit comes in. Remember, God wants you to live your best life. He wants you to be healthy (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy). He wants you to be a good steward of your finances too. And He wants your relationships to be healthy. If you developed your resolutions prayerfully and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then the Spirit will help you to keep them and to push past the wall. Claim Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And then keep going.

Don’t be one of those who gave-in and gave-up. Don’t be a victim of the Quitters Friday syndrome. Push past that wall!

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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