Endurance through Discipline

<p>Practically every year, when spring weather rolls around I feel a burst of energy. Living in an area that gets long, cold winters for more than half the year, I always feel a sense of happiness when spring comes. And almost every spring, I love to enjoy the beautiful fresh air and new life by going jogging outside. After a couple times of running, however, I tend to have the same problem every year... sore ankles. I vividly remember having to apply ice packs to my legs for several days to help the swelling after last year’s jogging spree. Once I experience my annual sore ankles, I usually don’t want to go jogging again—that is, until spring rolls around once more—forming a cycle that has yet to be broken.</p><p>.</p><p>The writer of Hebrews was familiar with this problem, not just physically, but spiritually. Every Christian is running a race in this life to fulfill our God-given purpose to love God and others. But after a while, we tend to develop aches and pains—weaknesses in our spiritual lives that have surfaced. These aches are different for every person; while I may struggle with discernment, maybe you struggle with patience, kindness, or something else. When we fall short in our areas of weakness, it’s so tempting to give up and stop running all together, just like I did with jogging. But don’t give up! All Christians have the encouragement of knowing godly discipline can only make us stronger through the power of the Holy Spirit.</p><p>.</p><p>My mom has shown me some leg-strengthening exercises I can do to discipline my body and make it stronger. Spiritual discipline is very similar. First, acknowledge your weaknesses “so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead” (Hebrews 12:13). Don’t try to tough it out by continuing to go on—stop and get some help. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to help us, as well as our family of other believers in Jesus. In God’s community, our “weak muscles” are strengthened through prayer, God’s Word, and the help of godly mentors. And when you feel l