Discipline, Accountability, & Endurance

Why, oh, why is discipline so tough? I'm not referring to disciplining our boys (although that's tough, too). I'm talking about personal discipline...specifically in regard to developing a healthy lifestyle. I've always been grateful to have my dad's high metabolism. In other words, I could eat whatever I wanted and not pay the consequences. However, since reaching my 30's a couple years ago, my body seems to be reacting differently to food and lack of exercise. And while not terribly overweight, I can feel the extra pounds that have collected around my middle. So I determined that it was time to do something about it. I decided to get back to running (which I haven't done since running track in high school). The first step was to buy new workout clothes. That felt great!

Alas, clothes do not a runner make. I casually mentioned to a friend that I was going to start running again, to which she immediately replied, "I need a new running partner!" I quickly tried to back-pedal, responding, "Sure, I'll give you a call when I'm in shape." She again challenged me to join her and I gave another lame excuse. When she realized that I would not be the one to make this happen, she just blurted out, "Meet me at 6am Monday morning!" Oh, God knew what I needed! You see, had it not been for this friend, I would have easily found a reason to stay in bed when the alarm went off at 5:30AM that Monday morning. And had it not been for that friend, I wouldn't have returned that next morning because I was in sooo much pain from the previous morning! In fact, because of that friend, I've been out there every morning despite the time, despite the pain, despite the hard work. God is using the accountability of this friend to build discipline in my heart.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone whe he falls and has not another to lift him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness by those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:11

These first two weeks of running have been challenging, to say the least. I keep wondering when it will get fun. I've often been tempted to quit all together, yet there is something in me that won't let me quit. I so deeply want to endure despite the pain, despite the challenge, despite the early mornings. And I'm finding that as I keep on, God is helping me to meet the challenge. He's filling me with a bit more enthusiasm...and a conviction that I'm doing something good not only for me, but for my family, as well. Oh, and the fact that I can feel my body toning up is a wonderful benefit, too.

"Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:30-31

I'm thankful for the life lessons God is teaching me through running. I pray that He will give me the continued grace and courage to meet each new day's challenge.