Run / Walk!

Though quite a number of years ago, I used to be a runner. It was not only a good way to keep in shape, but was a good stress reliever as well. Sometimes when under pressure or if things were not going well, I would take off on a good run. However, my knees no longer like the pounding. When I got serious about losing weight a little over six years ago (a goal I did accomplish) I tried to do a run/walk. However, I soon found that doing a fast paced walk was sufficient (with some diet adjustments) for taking of the excess pounds and getting me back in shape. Thus I continue to be a walker instead of a runner.

Running and walking are also associated with our spiritual life. Both have an impact on our SPIRITUAL HEALTH.

Paul noted a characteristic of our spiritual walk as being. . .
"(7) for WE WALK BY FAITH, not by sight." ( 2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV)

Faith is something we must possess. ( Hebrews 11:6) However, though the walking is not by sight, it is not completely blind faith. It is faith based on the track record of God's awesome power and complete faithfulness. Therefore our Christian walk is to be characterized by faith in Him. Is that not a wonderful STRESS RELIEVER?

If we put too much faith in ourselves, we may soon find cause for stress, because we are often not as strong in and of ourselves as we might think we are. Even Peter struggled in that view of himself as his faith was growing. (note Luke 22:31-34) As we "walk by faith" there are some situations in life where it is best to turn that walk into a run!

Paul, in one of his letters to Timothy exhorted. . .
"(22) So FLEE YOUTHFUL PASSIONS and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." ( 2 Timothy 2:22 ESV)

There are some things with which we do not want to play around. There are some temptations we would be wise not to stick around for, simply to see how strong we might be. The potentially harmful impact to our SPIRITUAL HEALTH is not worth the risk! At such times our walk needs to increase to a run that gets us just as far away from sin and temptation as possible. This too will ELIMINATE POTENTIAL LIFE STRESSES, guilt, and regret.

Running and walking. May we exercise proper discernment of when to do which as we continue life's spiritual journey toward home.

Have a great day PROPERLY MOVING AS LIFE'S SITUATIONS DICTATE!
Carl

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