I was having a fairly good run today, my legs felt strong, and I had a good breathing rhythm going. Suddenly, as I rounded the corner I ran smack into a brick wall. Okay maybe not a literal brick wall, but the wind was so strong and pushed back at me so hard that it might as well have been a brick wall. As I struggled against the wind putting one foot in front of the other, I couldn’t help but think how much easier it would be if I could just turn around and run in the opposite direction. In changing my direction I would not have to fight the wind and have it at my back.  It made me think of an especially tearful session I had this week.

The client was struggling as she attempted to change the direction of her life and make better choices. She felt as if she was fighting with everything she had and going nowhere. With a sob she declared that she should just stop trying and that it would be so much easier to just “go with it”. I actually agree with her. Many times it would be a lot easier to “go with it” rather than continue to fight to see the change in our lives. Therefore, where do you want to be in six months, one year, or five years? If you “go with it” you’re guaranteed an easier ride, but you are also guaranteed that you will not get where you want to go. You may feel like you’re not making any progress, but as long as you continue to fight and put one foot in front of the other you are, at the very least, moving forward. 

As I fought the wind and rounded the corner, I was suddenly sheltered by a row of houses and my run once again became pleasant. I was reminded that while we may feel like we’re fighting with all we have, struggles do not last forever and there will be a reprieve. If you’re struggling today or feel like you are running into the wind, I would encourage you to keep close to God, keep fighting the good fight, even if it would seem easier to give in.

Julia