Rise Again Weary One

SNAPSHOT

Life is hard. Really hard.

DIGGING DEEPER

Blind hits can throw you backwards, taking the wind out of your lungs. Another hit doubles you over. Not me, you cry. Not now.

Pain.

Confusion makes it worse.

No quick answer. No reassurance of a quick rebound.

Pain. Holding pain.

These trials come in every part of life. Even if you made all the right choices, took the road less traveled, went up the treacherous hill, sure that your hard work would pay off. Never choosing the easy road.

Yet. This happened. Pain happened.

Cliches swirl about as if they will soften the blow. But they do nothing but point out how cruel life can be.

Pain has to be endured. Escaping it only puts it off, returning with vengeance later on.

These stings. I have felt them over and over as life has happened. Similar to when you cut your finger and the stinging, burning sensation cries out for an end. But you can’t stop the pain. The burning of an injury, a loss, mean words, or an absence fills the body.

And so you try to understand the situation, cry over it, explain it away. Perhaps a friend’s words can soothe the discomfort. But to no avail.

For you must endure, accept, and wait.

Yes wait. Wait for the pain to wean. Wait for the situation to change. Wait for good again.

https://shellybinsfeld.smugmug.com/

Over and over throughout life we are subjected to these times of hardship. You simply can’t live life without them happening. However, each time I learn a bit more patience. Because waiting for healing is all you really can do. Sometimes it takes time, sometimes it takes understanding, sometimes it takes a resolution. But none of those will happen as fast as you want. The cut has to have time to heal.

So if this is one of those times when you are an injured athlete, grieving lover, or hurt soul, WAIT. For this too will pass. This is not the end of the road. You will rise again.

SOLUTION

Rise again all those who are weary.

Matthew eleven twenty-eight

Perseverance

SNAPSHOT

Expect Pain

DIGGING DEEPER

Kristen’s Story

Remembering a snippet from a conversation at the summer pool enabled Kristen to train for her first marathon. “It is ok to feel pain while and after running.  However, you don’t want it to get out of hand and change your running stride,” were the words that kept her on track to obtain her goal.

Yes, I said it will hurt to run.  Your body is not accustomed to jumping from one foot to the other in a continual quick motion.  You are shocking it.  Even if you have run ten miles before and are only running one more extra mile, your body has not run this extra mile recently or perhaps even ever.  It is ok to feel pain.  You will make it.  Keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will reach the end.

However, there is a bad pain that is not good.  It leads to injury.  You will know if it is a bad pain if it causes you to change your stride or limp.  At this point stop running and seek rest and help. It does not mean that you are done running forever and need to lay on the couch for the next two weeks in mourning. If often means your training will change to cross-training until your amazing body heals itself.

For the pains that are not changing your stride try this method. When you have pain, pause and stretch the area.  Try to relieve the pain.  Then attempt to run again. 

If your pain decreased, continue for your allotted distance.  

Pain that increases will change how you land or move through the air, causing a more serious injury. This is the point where you rest and seek professional help.

Runners persevere through hardship and strive forward through pain and discomfort.  The reward is worth the effort.

SOLUTION  

Your determination will yield rewards, but be wise.

Share with me your perseverance stories by clicking comment below. I am so curious.