Five Steps To Finishing Strong
Maybe like me, you’re old enough to remember the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. I’ll never forget watching a British runner named Derek Redmond run the 400 meters. Redmond had a history of injuries that kept him from being the best in the world.
In 1992 everything seemed to be coming together for Redmond at last. Derek was running well. In the first round of qualifying, he recorded the fastest time. He won his quarterfinal heat.
As he settled into the starting blocks for the start of his semifinal race, Derek Redmond’s thoughts turned to his father, Jim. His dad had always supported Derek.
In this race, Derek got off to a clean start. He was running smoothly. Suddenly, about 150 meters into the race, his right hamstring muscle tore. In pain, he fell to the ground.
The stretcher-bearers are running towards him. Derek wanted to finish the race. He somehow managed to get up and began moving awkwardly forward despite the pain he felt.
His father, Jim, ran out of the grandstands. He joined his son on the track. Dad joined with son, hand in hand, arm in arm, and with Derek sobbing from disappointment and pain, they continued.
As they neared the finish, the father let his son go, and Derek Redmond completed the course on his own. The crowd of 65,000 roared their approval and gave him a standing ovation.
Our Heavenly Father is there for us as Believers. He will pick us up and move with us hand in hand, arm in arm, and even pick us up and carry us to the finish line. All we have to do is rely on Christ, and we can finish strong.
This article has five steps to finishing the race known as life strong.
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” – Acts 20:24 ESV
Five Steps to Finishing Strong
Step #1 – Remove All Distractions
“…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” – Hebrews 12:1b ESV
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14 ESV
Step #2 – Remember the Reason
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” – 2 Corinthians 4:1 ESV
“as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV
Step #3 – Renew Myself Daily
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV
“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” – Psalm 94:19 ESV
Step #4 – Resist Discouragement
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 ESV
Two Basic Principles of Life
1. You Will Get Discouraged
2. You Will Get Over It
“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” – Hebrews 10:35-36 ESV
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV
Step #5 – Rely on Christ
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 ESV
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalms 34:4 ESV
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” – Psalms 34:7 ESV
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6 ESV
Remember, Our Heavenly Father is there for us as Believers. He will pick us up and move with us hand in hand, arm in arm, and even pick us up and carry us to the finish line. All we have to do is rely on Christ, and we can finish strong.
Image Source: Image by LillyCantabile from Pixabay
Jimmie, I enjoyed your analogy about Jesus helping us finish strong. Removing distractions is the hardest step for me, but God is teaching me how to do that. Thank you for the post.
This is a great post. Your five steps are each profound on their own. When combined, they add up to completing God’s call and living the abundant life He has for each of us. Thanks.