Today I had to go in for a stress test to rule out something, and thankfully all is well. During the test as they kept raising the incline and speed on the treadmill, I did what I usually do when I am challenged, I took some deep breaths & prayed. Once we got to what should have been the end of the test, the doctor asked if I had more in me, which I did. So we went for a few minutes, while continuing to go faster, at a higher incline.
For those of you who don’t know this side of me, I am very competitive and enjoy a challenge, especially a physical one.
As I was brought to my edge running on the treadmill, I closed my eyes to pray (don’t worry, I was holding on). Well, the doctor didn’t like that, and asked why I kept closing my eyes. I told him to pray for people who are going through hard times.
The doctor was relieved to know it wasn’t that I was light headed or about to pass out.
But that is what I do when I am challenged, I pray for others who are going through hard times to get my mind off myself and use my mind towards something beneficial.
From my workouts to now stress tests, I have found that my mind is better off praying for others than focusing on my current challenge, and actually helps fuel me to get through it, most of the time.
I share this with you today because as I drove home, I thought about how in this world right now we are being challenged. It is so natural for us to focus on the struggle, the unknowns, the challenge in this new way of living. Yet living focused on the struggle can weigh us down. Instead, I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.
May we make a list of all those who need prayers, from friends to strangers across the world. And the next time we find ourselves at our edge, physically, emotionally, mentally, etc., may we choose to take our thoughts off the struggle and turn our thoughts to pray, for ourselves and/or those in need. It’s been a transformative practice for me, and I believe it will be for you too.
With love and hope,
Shawn
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” - Romans 12:12