It is officially summer in Australia!
This means blue skies, balmy nights, ocean dips, and of course catching the fitness bug to look good for shorts and tee-shirt weather!
During a recent session with my personal trainer he said something that I haven't been able to shake off since: 'push through the burn of the last couple of reps because that is where you will see results, finish strong.'
'Reps' is short for repetitions of a set of exercise. It's these last couple of exercises that often cost us the most, they hurt like no tomorrow and they are the hardest to push through; but once you're done they are also the most gratifying to finish, and you get to experience a sense of accomplishment and a proud moment.
Pushing through
I think life is similar. Some seasons are tough and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel and it gets harder! It's those moments we have a choice to throw it all in, or pick ourselves up and keep going; despite feeling neglected, alone, tired, worn out and frustrated.
Isaiah chapter 40, verse 28–31 says:
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Carry on
Towards the end of each year it is easy to look back and focus on the areas or goals that were not achieved, and feel as though it is pointless to keep trying. Or perhaps it was a dream that was meant to come to fruition but you still feel as though it is miles away.
At the end of one year and the beginning of another, I feel as though we each have one of two choices:
1) Choose to settle. Saying to ourselves 'This is too hard/ It hasn't happened/I'll try next year' and give up trying altogether OR
2) Choose to push through and feel the burn. We may not necessary see progress in the natural but are choosing to feel the stretch, feel the uncomfortable and believe in the supernatural.
The second choice is harder, narrower, tougher and not fun; but if we want God's best our finest moments are made in the hardest seasons. After all: no pressure, no diamonds.
I wish you all a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year! Until 2016!
Meenal Chandra is a Sydney based writer who is training for summer.
Meenal Chandra's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/meenal-chandra.html