As I was running last night with a friend, and struggling to finish the goal we had set for the run, she encouraged me to write something about running. I am not a purebred running enthusiast the way other friends are (though I have already finished a marathon and an ultra marathon). That got me thinking though of the times I had joined a race and run. One particular race came to mind.

I had signed up to finish a half marathon and it was one of the first races I was running alone, and I was not as fit as I’d wanted to be. Then, at the starting point, I saw a banner that was hung and it read: “The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you.” Need less to say, with that reminder and with all of my heart, I finished that race.

That race and that banner reminds me that there will always be challenges I will face in life. Some will be easily overcome, others will require mountain-moving faith. There will be things I voluntarily sign up for, others will be those that life throws my way. Some will be personal, others professional. Whatever nature of the challenge, however great or small, one thing is certain. It will require more than the skill I currently have, more than the physical or emotional strength I currently possess. It will always take all of me to surmount those challenges. And when those days come, as they certainly will, it matters what is within.

My goal, therefore, is to keep growing within. To give time and attention to the things that strengthen my inner self and character. To grow in strength where it matters most. The Bible says, “Greater is he that is in me than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4) For me, that means aiming for the following:

Daily reading and meditation. I read the Bible. I pray. I meditate. This doesn’t just help me quiet my soul and learn, but it gives me time to take stock of my day and evaluate things, assess my handling of situations, my dealings with people. It forces me to pause in the busyness of life’s daily grind.

Weekly time off. Some days this is literally a time off where I have rest and recreation. I go wall climbing, or I watch a movie, or I go hiking. Some days it is time when I have more of reading and meditation. I read other books, I read fiction. Either way, it is time when I intentionally pause and stop all work, leaving them for the following week. This helps me re-calibrate and come back ready for more.

Regular areas of discipline. Sleep well. Eat right. Exercise. Much has been said about this, but these areas of discipline help make the first two possible. These areas do not just apply to the physical well being, but to my emotional and mental health as well. It takes discipline to fill myself with the right stuff, physically, emotionally, and mentally. All it takes is to make the first step, and do it, one day at a time.

As I continue to grow within, I find my capacity increases to be able to take on more and  face whatever tasks are ahead, no matter how great.