Embracing Struggles: How to experience peace and joy, even in suffering
Do you embrace being in the midst of struggles?
Or do you try to grit your way through them and see them as a means to an end for something better on the other side?
The other day, I saw some people running which reminded me of some experiences I had as an athlete which relate to this topic.
Football Conditioning
I remember back when I played football, we'd end practice with conditioning where we'd do a ton of sprints to get us in better shape.
We'd be out there working hard, drenched in sweat, grimaces on our faces, and grinding and gritting our way through conditioning.
And if you'd have asked the majority of my teammates if we enjoyed conditioning, we'd say ...
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!"
And most of us simply saw conditioning as a necessary means to get us in better shape for our games.
Cross Country Conditioning
Meanwhile, when we were in the middle of our conditioning, the cross country runners would be finishing up their runs.
They looked so relaxed, conglomerated in groups, chatting with each other while jogging, and looked like they were having a great time.
Rather than grinding their way through their running, they were actually even laughing. They looked like they were having a wonderful time.
And if you were to ask them if they enjoyed their running, they'd probably say ...
"ABSOLUTELY!!! We feel freedom when we run!"
Running Through Life
Most of us seem to take on the stance of the football players in our lives:
- Running as fast as we can from one thing to another
- Gritting and grinding our way through the struggles in life, seeing them as necessary for something better on the other side
- Not actually enjoying the struggles we are going through
However, I'd like to encourage you to take the posture of the cross country runner:
- Rather than being so fixated on the destination, enjoy the beauty of the scenery of the process every step of the way
- Rather than being so intense, gritting and grinding through situations, be open, relaxed, and light-hearted
- Rather than viewing struggles as a necessary means to an end, see if you can make peace with them and realize how beautiful they actually are
Often times, you may find that by taking this open, relaxed, light-hearted posture ...
You may actually enjoy and embrace struggles and experience that peace in all situations.
Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of experiencing joy and embracing struggles, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!
May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,
Kyle
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