Not being a slave to emotions

Today has been the longest day! I wanted to write this earlier today, but being in methods consumes my life. I have been thinking all day about what I wanted to write about. There are so many things I want to write about today but I decided to write about something that I am going through right now and I think a lot of people struggle with this. Like I said in my bio (at least I think anyways...) this blog is to help people with the same struggles as me so I am going to be upfront and honest about the things I share on this blog... let's get started :)

I am currently reading a book by Joyce Meyer called "Living Beyond Your Feelings". It has been life changing. If you know me then I am sure you have figured out that I am emotional (what woman isn't though) at times and I strive to be perfect a lot. In other words, I am a people pleaser. God has really been showing me how to control my emotions without them controlling me. I tend to let stress get the best of me and it consumes my day sometimes. Now let's talk about running....

Runners, I am sure that you have had a bad run before, because I know I have. I think it's crazy that I can run 9 miles one day and feel great, but then two days later I go for a 4 mile run and I struggle. It discourages me so much sometimes and I start to doubt myself and if I am really even a decent runner.

In so many areas of my life I want to be perfect and when I fail it really discourages me. The Lord has been showing me that if someone could be perfect, then He would not have sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. If we live our lives so consumed in trying to be perfect all the time then really in reality we are pretty miserable. Serving God will become hard (not enjoyable) and we will forget the true beauty of living for Him. There are so many areas in my life that I know I am struggling with and that I want to change.The main one right now is controlling how I react to things and not basing my decisions off pure emotion, but base them off what the Word of God says  (Joyce Meyer taught me that).

This is the point where I bring it all together. As Christians and runners, we MUST learn that we can not be perfect and that if we get consumed in trying to be then we will end up hating God and giving up on our passion for running. We must remember that there is so much beauty in God breaking us down in our lives...when he breaks us down it is because He wants to build us up again and make us stronger. When we think we have failed at a run then that means we rest up and go out it again. It is through our mistakes and our "bad runs" that we become stronger,we begin to work harder, and it makes us love our passions even more. I am loving every minute when I choose not to be a slave to my emotions and when I choose to not let a bad run make me feel like I am an awful runner.

I am praying that God can help us through our hardships and our runs and that we will get stronger. Remember, we are Beautifully Broken for the Lord.

Good night :)