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Finding New Strength

"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles."
Isaiah 40:31

I know it has been a good long while since I've posted, but there are both good and bad reasons for that. The good reason is that my husband and I were chaperones for our youth group as they spent a week at Student Life camp. I didn't have much time to sleep, let alone write a blog post, but the Lord worked in wonderful ways and the entire week was such a huge blessing. It was wonderful to see our youth group grow and to experience growth ourselves! I went jogging one morning while I was there and on another morning, I took a walk with one of the girls in our group. It was well worth slowing down. I got a chance to get to know her better and she was such a blessing!

Now for the bad reason. When we got home from camp, I took a break. I took an entire week off. At first, it was just supposed to be a few days to catch up on sleep, but it quickly turned into me missing three runs! I was a little disappointed in myself, but I got right back out there this week. I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things, but it feels good to be lacing up my running shoes once again!

Anyone who has been to church camp knows what it's like once you get home. You've experienced this amazing spiritual high and you're on fire for the Lord. You hold on as tight as you can, but as soon as you step one foot away, Satan starts attacking. And attacking. Then attacking some more. I've been in deep prayer concerning our group because I knew that they were going to face spiritual warfare. But I forgot to pray that hard for myself!

I feel like I've really been hit hard by Satan. I lost my will to run last week, but I've been fighting back this week. My kids have been sick. I couldn't go to church on Sunday, or Wednesday, or go to Bible study. I've felt like I can't catch a break and I've been MAD about it. Mad enough to start holding it in, which is not my nature at all!

When my husband got home from work tonight, I told him I needed to go run. I needed to get away, to listen to my praise music, and to get alone with God. I probably didn't vent my frustrations verbally to Him as much as I should have, but I believe that God knows our hearts. Every time my feet hit the ground, I felt like I was stomping Satan in the face. And it felt GOOD! 

As soon as I saw Isaiah 40:31, I knew it was the Lord speaking to me. I only need to trust in Him and He will get me through this tough week. Or two. Or three! He will give me new strength! I don't have to put on a brave face and stuff my frustrations inside. God is patiently waiting for me to toss them over to Him so that He can carry that burden for me. 

So I'm just going to keep tossing them over. And I think I'll keep running, too!

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