As I get ready to run my first 10k race in just 3 more days, I'm drinking plenty of water, getting extra rest, avoiding high fat foods, and...preparing myself mentally. Though I have been getting all of my runs in and working hard, I could potentially sabotage my entire race, just by not being prepared mentally. Even the strongest body will not perform well with a weak, discouraged, or negative mind.
A person's mental state is crucial to their health; whether it be the person running a 10k, the diabetic on her treadmill at home, the grandmother doing Zumba, the high school kid playing a soccer game, or the elite athlete preparing for the Olympics next summer. It matters for everyone. Some people mentally "quit" before they ever start. So, how do I handle the negative and discouraging thoughts, pressures and road blocks???
One word. Jesus. Everything is about Him; including my health. If I make it all about me, it's very easy to quit, because you know what? I'm not strong enough, I'm not fast enough, I'm not tough enough, and I'm just not disciplined enough! If I rely only on my own strength and perspective, well sure I'm going to quit! Keeping things in perspective, and keeping health in its right place is vital for the success of it. At the starting line of a race, minutes before the gun goes off, a plethora of thoughts tend to swirl around my head..."Ooh, she looks fast...this is going to hurt...I haven't trained hard enough...I'm weak...it's hot...why am I doing this???". It's easy for your mental state to go south really fast, when you are focused on yourself. In the last few months, I have made a habit of looking up at the sky, and remembering my Savior, and putting that race in its place. It helps me to remember how unimportant that race really is in the scheme of things, and to not make too much of it or of my performance. I am reminded from Colossians 3 to "set your mind on things above", and "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as unto the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Perhaps you face different mental roadblocks than I do. Maybe some of yours look like this:
"It's not worth it"
"I'll never look like her/him no matter how hard I work"
"This is too hard"
"I don't have time to care about my health"
"This hurts too much"
"I'm not good at this"
"I'm not an athlete"
"What will people think about me?"
If any of these negative thoughts are preventing you from taking care of yourself, let me encourage to lean into Jesus, ask him to take your burdens; strengthen you; motivate you. Ask Him to help you. Oh, and He will, I can attest to that!
Whether you are preparing for a race, an exercise session at the gym, or a brisk walk around your neighborhood, prepare physically, but don't neglect your state of mind. It makes all the difference.
No comments:
Post a Comment