Let Me Be Your Jillian

Yesterday I had one of those mornings where I just didn’t want to get out of bed.  Actually, I never want to get out of bed but this was worse.  I was tired and my body hurt.  It was still dark out.  It was twenty below zero.  I didn’t want to face another day of the responsibility in life.  We were struggling to get back in the school routine.  I had to go to the grocery store with the girls and it turned our worse than I expected.  I felt like I wanted to quit and run away. 

I’ve been exercising again to go along with the New Year’s and buying scales and eating cookie dough.  It’s way too cold and icy here for me to run outside.  I did see my kids’ friend’s (I seriously do not know the right way to punctuate that) Mom running outside the other day, marathon runner and fitness guru that she is.  So it’s not actually too cold and icy to run outside, it’s just to cold and icy for lazy and wimpy me to do it.   I’m back at the 30 Day Shred that I was doing last winter.  You can tell because I am cranky and can’t walk.  My legs are so sore I wince going down the stairs.

I’ve often thought that it would be awesome to have a sound track for my life like movies do just to add some extra emotion and excitement to life.  When I have a big moment the music could swell or upbeat music could play when I’m taking care of business. However, today while listening to Jillian on my exercise DVD I thought it might be even better to have a personal trainer. 

Not so much a trainer that would help me exercise because I’m sure they would hate their job and quit after five minutes, but a personal trainer for life.  Someone that would give me tough love when I’m ready to quit.  They might say things like Jillian says during her video:

“We don’t quit at the finish line, that’s when we give it even more.”

“No breaks, give it all you’ve got!”

“When it starts to hurt, that’s when it counts the most.  When you are in pain, that’s you getting stronger!”

“You can do this.  It’s easy for you because you are strong”

Maybe issues with your kids or spouse have you fried.  Maybe financial issues are pounding you.  Maybe you are sick of fighting your health problems.  Allow me to be your Bible Jillian just for a few minutes in case you are feeling like quitting too.  For your own safety, please don’t imagine me in a cropped shirt and low rise sweats. 

We’ve got everything we need for life in Jesus.

2 Peter 1:3-4

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Looking to Jesus, we can persevere.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We can overcome through His power.

1 John 5:4-5

For everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it the overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus provides rest from our burdens.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Jesus promised to be with us always.

Matthew 28:20b

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

We are not alone.  Christ has already secured the victory.  The hard times will help us grow.  Marriage is worth fighting for.  Parenting is worth the work and sacrifice.  We can do it with Jesus.  He is strong when we are weak. 

Don’t quit!  He can help us finish the race strong.