Press On

I had a really good workout yesterday. I dead-lifted nearly 3,000 pounds! OK, so it took 60 reps to get to that number. But who's counting? And I did some good exercises for my legs and abs. My heart rate got up there. I was really proud of myself for pushing as hard as I did.

But, you know what? When my alarm went off, I soooo did not want to get up and work out. I would have much rather stayed in bed for another half hour.
Come to think of it, that's exactly how I felt during my workout Saturday. About half way through my first set of exercises I thought, Ahhh. This is good enough. I don't need to do another set.
But something in me knew it would be better for me if I kept on going. I knew I would benefit if I could just press on.

So I did.

And in the end, I was glad.

Have you been there, too? Wanting to quit, but knowing you really need to press on? Perhaps you're there right now.
I find myself there all the time - in exercising, in mothering, with difficult relationships, even in the midst of God-ordained trials. I want to quit. The pressure feels like it's too much for me. I fear I'm going to fall under the weight of the situation. I'm sure it would be eaiser to just give up. (Please tell me I am not alone!) But I know I need to press on.

So I come to my Father, admitting my weakness. My neediness. And I ask Him to be my Strength. I ask Him to give me the grace I need to press on.
* To love the teenager who is on my last nerve.
* To be kind to the person who is rubbing me the wrong way.
* To keep trusting Him, even when I don't understand.

And God is faithful. HE always carries me through!

Do you need encouragement to press on today? I know the One who can give it to you. And, by the way, the end result will be so worth the struggle it took to get there!