If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome. I’m really glad you came by.
I shared with you over a month ago that Richard had surgery for cancer. He’s been in the healing process and he’s done incredibly well.
This week he’s released to run again.
Since he’s still a bit bruised and sore, this means that I have half a chance of keeping up with him. ♥
In today’s devotion, I shared three rules every runner should know. I’ll keep these in mind as I run with my guy, but they are also important as you hold up your hurt to God.
Run at your own pace
Jesus sometimes touched people and they were instantly healed. Like the time he prayed for a guy who couldn’t walk. But another time He spit in the dust (eww) and made a mud pie and put it on a guy’s eyes, and then told him to go wash.
I’m not sure why one got an instant miracle or another had a series of steps to go through, but what I do know is that one walked and the other received his sight.
Don’t look at anyone else in the healing process.
Look only at Jesus.
Take the steps He asks you to take. Wait, when He says wait. It’s not about the timeline. It’s that He desires to heal you completely.
Watch your step
Alcohol doesn’t trip me up, but it’s a major bully in my family tree. So, I don’t go there.
Maybe a certain person or a certain place or a certain thing has caused you (or those you love) pain. Mark it with a red flag that says, “Minefield.” It’s blown up before and, even if it’s not a minefield for others, it’s where the enemy would like to draw you in.
You are a brave girl. You’re running after a life that says, “I’m free!”
So you go the other direction — the one God has mapped out for you.
If there are things that can potentially trip you up in the healing process, give less weight to them than the healing God desires to give you.
Just run
I don’t know if I’ll ever run for the fun of it. Richard does. Or at least he says that when he arrives on our doorstep, winded, red-faced, and sweaty.
He says that the first mile is always the hardest, so he just keeps going and eventually it kicks in. It becomes natural. It becomes a part of who he is.
Your run toward healing isn’t a race. It’s an adventure. So just run. See where God is taking you.
At some point, it starts to feel natural. It’s you! You recognize mile markers you have passed and the finish line doesn’t seem a million miles away. And even if it does seem far, the race is changing you and that’s worth running.
Suzie
I hope you are one of the thousands joining Proverbs 31 Ministries in their summer online Bible study over The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places.
We’ll run together toward healing.
It’s gentle. It leads you to the things you don’t have to do, and then we walk through the things we can do with His help.
Will you be there? I hope you will and I’d love it if you’d tell at least one friend about the study. I cannot wait! Today, to celebrate this new study, I’m giving away one autographed copy to one of you. Simply leave a comment and I’ll choose a winner (through a random number generator) by Friday. ~ Suzie
So happy to hear that Richard is doing well. You have both been on my prayer list, and once your on it, you remain. Love all your posts they help and in encourage me so much! Congrats on your book being the online study!
Suzie, wow it’s so awesome to hear Richard is doing so well! Love hearing about your running journey too, something I tried once and gave up too quickly. “Your run toward healing isn’t a race. It’s an adventure. So just run. See where God is taking you.” I am SOOO excited about The Mended Heart study – only 19 more sleeps!
Ready to put on my shoes and move forward! Thanks for the encouragement!
What a beautiful thought and vision of looking to Jesus as I run the race He has set before me. But what is even more amazing is that He running right along side of me in the race – upholding me all the way.
Another great post of wisdom and encouragement! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing today. I forwarded your writings to my husband who has been in the process of healing from an abusive acholholic soaked past our entire marriage. You are so right that while on he path to healing we must only look at Jesus and not at the rate at which others are healed. God knows what He is doing and I am very grateful that he treats each one of us differently!
So glad to hear that Richard is dong well!! Your post as always was full of wisdom and just what I needed. I was feeling overwhelmed–it seems that I keep learning more about me that needs work or that was distorted from my upbringing. You reminded me that this is a journey that will take time and that God heals us all differently. I needed that reminder. Thanks!!
Suzie, I am so glad to hear the good news about your husband Richard. I am on a different journey than you as my husband (Richard) lost his battle wiht lung cancer on April 23, 2015 and is no longer suffering. I needed to hear your words to keep running because I just want to lay down and not get up. But will try to keep your words in my mind as my Rick would tell me all the time I had to keep living when he was gone. I thought I was a strong women but found I am not and this is the hardest thing in my life to go through. Your words will be Encouragement not just for today but for years to come.
Pam
Pam, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet husband. It’s beautiful to hear you speak of knowing in your heart that God is asking you to keep running this race. I can hear strength in your words, that you probably don’t even realize is there. Keep running, sister! Keep your eyes on Jesus!
Lord, I ask you to wrap your mighty wings around Pam today. Offer comfort during this incredibly hard part of her journey. God I ask that you would give her the strength to keep breathing, to keep getting out of bed every morning, to keep running this race towards heaven. Fill her with confidence and purpose, to live out life during her time on earth, to carry on, to keep pressing towards the finish line. Whisper sweet words of love and purpose to her each morning. Shower her with mercy & grace in those most difficult days when she feels like she has failed you. Send encouragers to surround her, Lord, and lift her up in her darkest hours. Fill her heart, Lord, to running over. Allow her to feel your loving embrace when she most needs it. In Jesus name, Amen.
Crystal, Thank you so much for your reply and prayer. I will carry them in my heart and when I am having a difficult time I will bring your words to my mind and keep pressing on.
Pam
Pam, I am so sorry for your loss. Seems this post is meant for you. I lost my husband to kidney cancer a few years back, and it was a hard journey made one step at a time. I pray that you have a supportive group of family and friends to walk by your side and lend a listening ear. I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but the sharp points of sorrow wear down and stab at your heart with a bit less force over time. Crippling sadness has become more of a bittersweet longing mixed with gratitude for almost 30 years together. Prayer that you will feel the comfort of God’s tender heart towards you and His loving arms around you. Much love to you and your family.
Love your post! Thanks again for the encouragement to keep moving forward….one step at a time!
Can’t wait to start this study!!
Thanks for sharing. I really would like to run the race of healing. Not much of a runner in the physical but I need healing and to look to God for that. Looking forward to the Bible study thanks.
Miss Suzie!!!! I love reading your writings!!! 😉 Anything you recommend I would love to receive! I am so thankful Mr. Richard is doing well!!! Love you both!!
Thank you, Suzy…….”the race is changing you and that’s worth running.” This was just beautiful, and perfect timing!! 🙂
Would love to read your book!!
Thank you, Suzy…..”the race is changing you and that’s worth running.” This was beautiful, and just perfect timing!!
I would love to read your book!
i WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF THIS BIBLE STUDY!
Michelle, have you signed up yet? Super easy; just click the link above 🙂
Recently finished a precept study on Hebrews, so your post about running the race is timely. Would love to win a copy of “The Mended Heart” so I could participate in the study this summer. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you Suzie! I needed this reminder and encouragement. I have walked through lots of things, but God is still healing me, both emotionally and physically. I appreciate the steps to keep me focused and as a guideline. I hope your husband is doing well and has beaten his battle with cancer, but I can tell that you will both be good because Jesus is your anchor. I will join this study after I post this comment and it would be great to have an autographed copy of your book! Be blessed as you ARE blessing others
I would love to run with you toward healing!
Leah, have you signed up for the online BIble study yet?! It’s going to be incredible!
Suzie, great encouragement. Perfect for me today! I’m learning to love running and I’m looking forward to healing through the study this summer!
All praises to God! I’m so glad tp hear that your husband, Richard is doing well! Thanks for the update Suzie & the devotional you shared in Proverbs 31. What a blessing & an encouragement you are! Blessings to you as well! Hugs!
I can’t wait for the study!
That’s wonderful! I’m so glad that Richard is doing so well! I’m hoping I can join in with the online study if I’m able to pick up a book soon.
I am so excited for this study. This book couldn’t have come at a better time.
Love the post; talking right to my heart.
LOVED the post today! felt like you were talking straight to me! Would love this book!
I loved this. Just what I needed to be reminded of after going to a Come Holy Spirit Conference. Finding my purpose!
I am really looking forward to the healing that will come during this study!
I’m signed up for the study and can’t wait. I have a lot of things in the past I am learning to let go of and not define me so this study comes at a great time. Have shared with friends on Facebook and Twitter and believe I have a girl from work that is going to participate also. Thanks so much for sharing.
God is already working in me and I think that this is just another layer in the proverbial onion that is about to come off. I am looking forward to this study!
This post was awesome! Such perfect timing. I am a runner and I am also persuing obedience to this writing thing 😉 So much of it feels unnatural at first and there are minefields I’ve just gotta avoid in order to be that brave girl and run after that life that says, I’m free!” Thanks so much for the reminder, Suzie!
Looking forward to the study.
It’s great how you word everything. You make the best applications to life. Praise the Lord! ❤️❤️
I am just at the beginning of the race, some days still just putting my shoes on. But I know God wants healing for me.
So excited about this Bible study and love your www!
I can’t wait for the study , thank you!
This is a great analogy. One I’m sure to remember. Push through…there’s always a greater purpose.