For various health reasons (none of which turned out to be serious, all of which are on their way out), this has been a rough year. I started out running my first half marathon (and the 5K and the 10K…) at the runDisney Princess Half Marathon weekend at Walt Disney World. I was in the best shape I have ever been in, and it was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. After I came home, it seemed like one thing after another sidelined me. I tried to keep my fitness level up, but I would take two steps forward and one step back. As soon as I would start getting my running built back up, something else would happen to set me back. It has been pretty discouraging, to be honest. It has been far from the most difficult thing I’ve ever been through, but I definitely had some down times. There were moments when I wanted to just give up. What was the point of trying, if I was just going to have to start over again later?
Over the past several weeks, however, I have been getting stronger every day. Sure, I have had some setbacks, but I feel like I am on my way to a comeback. As He often does, God has been reaching me through music. Each time I run, I seem to hear the song I need at the moment I need it. This song is “Overcomer” by Mandisa. I’ve always related to it, due to the healthy living journey I have been on. Now, I hear it in a completely different way. If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend you find the video on YouTube. I hope you are changed by it too.
Here is a sample of the lyrics:
“You’re an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round
You’re not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it’s hopeless
That’s when He reminds you
That you’re an overcomer
You’re an overcomer”
“The same Man, the Great I Am
The One who overcame death
He’s living inside of you
So just hold tight, fix your eyes
On the One who holds your life
There’s nothing He can’t do
He’s telling you”
Deep down, I have always believed these words. I know “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” (Phil. 4:13). However, I am still human. Doubt creeps in. I begin to think that I can’t do it anymore. I can’t go on. Little by little, I am reminded that God has made me strong. I am capable of so much more than I thought. I am an Overcomer…and you can be too.
You have an inner strength.