Devotionals for the Heart: Running in a race taught me to depend on God

Depending on God’s Strength
A devotional by Peg Arnold

“But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired. They walk and don’t lag behind.”

—Isaiah 40:31 (MSG)

The day of the Diva Half Marathon had arrived. I was both nervous and excited. I had never participated in a competition like this before and was ready to take on the challenge. My daughter, an experienced runner, also participated in the race. We were both eager to tackle the course set in Virginia's beautiful wine country. The route began on a dirt road that led down a hill surrounded by towering trees and then transitioned onto pavement.

The gun went off and everyone started running. I quickly realized I would not be able to keep up the pace of the crowd. After five minutes, I urged my daughter to go ahead without me. Unfortunately, not long after she left, I stepped into a hole and twisted my knee. The pain radiated through my leg every time I tried to put weight on it. I had not even reached the three-mile mark yet, and I was already worried that I wouldn't be able to finish the race. I stopped at the first aid station to see if wrapping my knee would help, but it only provided minimal relief.

Despite this challenge, I was determined to complete the race, no matter how slow I had to go or how much pain I had to endure. I knew that this would be an actual test of my strength and focus. As the other runners began to pass me, I began praying and reciting scripture to keep me going. I repeated the verse from Isaiah, which promised that those who depend on the Lord will renew their strength…walk and not be weary, run, and not faint. I also reminded myself that I could do everything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

These words gave me the courage and endurance to keep going, even when the pain was overwhelming. As the miles stretched on, I walked by some of the runners who had passed me. I shared my favorite scripture verses with them, and their positive responses motivated me. I was amazed at how my words encouraged them as well.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the end was in sight. The trail was lined with people cheering us on. I felt a surge of energy as I crossed the finish line. I was given a pink boa, a medal, and some chocolate. My daughter gave me a big hug. However, as I tried to walk away, my knee gave out completely and I could barely reach the car.

When I returned home, I needed crutches to walk, so I made an appointment with my doctor. After getting an MRI, I found out that I had torn my meniscus and would need to undergo treatment. In the years to follow, I would realize the actual damage to my body.

Looking back on that accomplishment and the obstacles I encountered, I gained more than a completion medal and a debilitating injury. I learned the importance of using memorized scripture to connect me with the strength of our Savior (Jesus Christ). There are times when each of us encounters unexpected difficulties. Having scripture in our hearts and minds is more than receiving a sticker or recognition. The real reward is in the power and hope we draw from these words and the hope they give us in times of trouble.

Do you have a verse or two that you recite to help you persevere in unexpected life challenges?

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, Thank You for being our source of strength in our moments of weakness. Your power empowers us to overcome any obstacles we face. They may look like mountains to us, but nothing is too difficult for You! Help us to remember these Biblical truths and keep us moving forward. In Jesus’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Believe for It” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Peg Arnold, Speaker/Author/Teacher is a Drama Queen for Jesus. 

Her vibrant, interactive, and soul-stirring messages encourage all to embrace their God-given value. As a mom, wife, nana, mentor, with a master’s in counseling, she connects on a personal basis by sharing her joys and challenges of many life experiences through her dramas, messages, and witness. Whether talking with a friend over coffee or addressing hundreds of people at a conference, her passion for equipping women is contagious.

She has published devotions on YouVersion and in the Upper Room. In addition, she has contributed to two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, three anthologies, numerous articles, and blogs. Her devotional, Devotions for the Distracted Heart, received a 2022 OASIS award.

Peg desires everyone to know that their story is important and has a purpose. She grew up in Michigan and raised her family in Maryland. Later in life, Peg and her husband relocated close to their family in Colorado.

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Connect with Peg:
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Devotions for the Distracted Heart blog: https://pegarnold.wordpress.com/
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Devotionals for the Heart: Healing

God’s Healing is Certain
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”—Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV)

Eleven years ago I ruptured my Achilles tendon. I had never felt such excruciating pain before.

I had never been immobile until then. I had surgery to repair the rupture and the doctor ordered me to refrain from walking for six weeks. It was a nightmare because I was used to going whenever and wherever I liked without assistance. I was stuck at home for six weeks in pain and discomfort. I was prepared to experience the pain from the ruptured Achilles but I was unprepared for the pain of healing. I didn’t understand that sometimes healing pain is greater than the pain we experienced from the rupture.

In Jeremiah 17:14, the weeping prophet Jeremiah declares the certainty of God’s healing. He affirms the sovereignty of God and His undeniable power to heal and to save. When God does a thing, He does it well. When God repairs the broken pieces of our lives, we are without a doubt restored, revived, and renewed. He leaves no stone unturned. Scripture states, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36 KJV).” When God heals and delivers you from brokenness, you are truly healed and delivered.

In Mark 16:18, Mark declares that signs shall follow the believers. Signs follow our God as well. He demonstrates His healing hand throughout the ages in scripture. He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. In Exodus 15:26 God declares that He is our Healer. He is able and willing to heal your mind, body, soul, and spirit. God is the mender of the broken heart. He is the healer of the troubled mind. He is the Savior of the downcast soul and the repairer of the broken spirit. God can put your broken pieces back together again with His healing balm.

Jeremiah knew the reality of the healing power of God and for this, he praised Him. The good works of God deserve praise and adoration. We say thanks to God with our praise.

After months of pain and immobility, I received my healing. I had progressed from having surgery and being cooped up in my house to attending weekly physical therapy sessions and wearing a boot. I wore three different kinds of boots as my Achilles tendon healed. I was thrilled to finally be able to walk without assistance and go wherever my heart desired whenever I wanted to. My healing journey impacted my faith in a real way. I understood that many times our healing is a process. We must trust the healer and the process. I partnered with God in order to heal. I showed my faith by my works and God did the healing. I started to understand that healing is my right. However, healing demands that I act and work consistently in order to achieve my goal. This lesson challenged and strengthened my faith simultaneously.

Call to Action:

1. Acknowledge the healing power of God in your life. Have faith in God’s Word.

2. Receive the healing power of God for your wounds and hurts.

3. Walk in your healing.

4. Remember, healing belongs to God’s children (Mark 7:27).

Acknowledging God’s healing power is simply head knowledge. However, receiving the healing power of God takes heart work and the activation of faith. The activation of our faith is demonstrated by our actions. Walking in our healing takes daily discipline and trust in God’s power and provision. Healing does belong to us because we are God’s children. We must partner with God and work out our salvation and healing.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, You are the Lord our God who heals us. By the stripes of Jesus Christ, we are healed. I acknowledge that when You heal, You heal certainly. You heal deeply. You heal fully and truly. Father, I thank you for healing the broken pieces of my heart. Thank you for healing the wounds of my soul. Thank You for restoring my spirit. You alone are the Lord my God who heals. I can call to You when I am hurting and You will hear me. Help me to receive your healing for every shattered situation in my life. I believe Your Word and I trust You. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Broken But I’m Healed” by Byron Cage. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor is a woman of faith. She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

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Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
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Devotionals for the Heart: Headgear

Don’t Go Out Without Your Headgear
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV)

A few months ago, I went over to my son’s house to watch his girls ride their bicycles. They had become confident enough to ride without training wheels and they wanted me to see them. He told me to bring my bicycle, so I did.

When I arrived, I saw the girls suited up with their helmets, gloves, elbow pads, and knee pads. They confidently rode around in circles near their driveway. I pulled my bike down and rode in circles with them. Eventually, they tired and wanted to go inside. At that point, my son said, “Okay Dad, let’s go!” and off he went on his bicycle. I mounted mine and followed him. 

We rode through his neighborhood. He was enjoying the ride. He was riding with the carefree abandon that I remembered when he was much younger. I could not keep up. He turned down a walking path that weaved through some forestry behind some of the homes. Suddenly, we are going down a steep hill. At the bottom of the hill was a puddle. He blazed right through it on his mountain bike. I was on a road bike with very narrow tires. I hit the puddle and the bike slid one way then the other. I was ejected at 17 miles per hour.

As I soared through the air, I became keenly aware that I had not put on any protective pads, gloves or my helmet. I hit the ground and tumbled, head over heels. On the second tumble, my head contacted the asphalt. Thankfully, the ground was wet. The momentum caused me to slide rather than slam into the concrete. When I stopped tumbling and spinning, I laid upon the ground, trying to assess the damage. Thankfully, the only damage was road rash on my head and knee, a throbbing wrist, a broken mirror on the bicycle, and my wounded ego.

There were people around and I was embarrassed. Someone said, “That is why you should be wearing a helmet.” By the time my son turned around and arrived, I was on my feet and very mindful of the miracle that I had just experienced.

As we slowly rode the last mile back to his house, I thought of two verses of Scripture.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV) felt appropriate: “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” The second verse was Psalm 8:5 (NKJV): “For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.”

Bicyclists wear helmets. Soldiers wear helmets. Construction workers wear helmets. They all wear these to protect their heads from potential injury. Brain injuries are serious. They can be followed by a lifetime of negative repercussions. The same is true of soul/moral injuries.

They both occur in the head.

Just as a helmet protects the head and the brain, the hope of salvation protects the crown of glory and honor that God placed within us at creation and conception. It is because of the glory and honor that we have dominion in our spheres of activity and influence. If the glory and honor are injured because they were not protected, or enfeebled due to lack of nurture, our dominion is diminished. The dulled glow is apparent to all.

It turned out that my wrist was broken. The wound on my head began to heal and eventually scabbed over. Some people would ask me what happened. Most could see that I was not wearing a helmet when I fell.

May I encourage you not to go out on today’s expeditions, without your spiritual helmet?

Before you plunge into your day, focus intentionally on something noble. Read something that is true. Visualize justice! Load your emotional quiver with integrity, grace, and the determination to do the right and best things, all day. Say a prayer in Jesus Christ’s Name, then saunter off into the day to either be a blessing to someone or to embrace the blessings yet to unfold before you.

When you live in this way, your crown of glory and honor will shine and not be diminished.

Don’t go out without your headgear.

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Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.