8 weeks out from the Northern…how is everyone feeling? i’ll be honest here, and my body seems to be resisting changes this go round. will i make stage? i really don’t know. BUT one thing i do know is that i won’t stop. i could never live with myself knowing i gave up. if a couple weeks out comes around and i can’t get up there, fine, but its not because i quit…i’m pushing harder than ever and diet is killer. THAT’S how i’m feeling.
i have received two emails today from girls battling the mind game of not being ready and i admit i battle it as well but here is what i think…for me this isn’t just a physical journey, its a spiritual one. Strength isn’t defined by how much you can squat…i have a bad back and i only add 50 lbs to my bar. does that mean i’m not strong? no…strength in my opinion is defined by pushing through hard times. work, family, and every other obligation, on top of getting ready for a competition, or for you non competitors, even just taking the time to eat clean and exercise to stay healthy sometimes seems impossible. add onto that the fact that you are working your butt off in all aspects of life and you aren’t seeing changes, whether thats at work, in your family life, or your physical body, that can really mess with your mind. it is clear to me that every time i’m prepping for a show i face all kinds of battles, as does every one of us. but not quitting and pushing through and working hard and leaning on God for strength to get through each day only makes me stronger. i think the devil puts the thoughts of “you will never make it. just give. you aren’t good enough” in our heads because he knows we will come out of this a warrior and that’s the last thing he wants. he wants us to be weak, to give in, to never grow stronger. i’m here to say he wont win this battle. no matter the out come of this journey, i will push. i might grow physically weak, i might cry, but at the end my mind will be strong because thats what always happens.
a certain verse kept popping up in my life last week and it was this…Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Satan knows this to be true so he plays with our minds…that’s when you look down at him (because you are above him) and you stick your tongue out and say, “eat it. i’m not giving up.”
my friend sent me this devotional today. please take the time to read through this and find the strength you need to push and know in due time you will reap the benefits of not giving up. 
Love Y’all.
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Have you ever gone through something and felt like it was the valley of the shadow of death? During the tough times, it’s easy to get discouraged. But I love what it says in today’s verse, “though I walk through…” No matter what you are facing today, know this: you are not alone, and you are just walking through. You don’t have to stop and live in the tough times! They are only temporary. I encourage you today; don’t allow fear to paralyze you in the middle of “the valley of the shadow of death.” Remember, God is with you. He is walking beside you. He is strengthening you. He is making a way of escape for you. He is lining up people and situations to bring you out of that tough place into a place of strength and victory. Today, don’t give up! Press on and walk through! Start to get a vision of your life on the other side. See yourself more loving, more faithful, stronger and more blessed than ever before. As you keep moving forward and walking through, you will get to the other side and walk in the victory God has prepared for you! |
| A PRAYER FOR TODAY |
| Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Thank You for walking with me even in the hard times. I trust that You are taking me through my circumstances to a place of victory and strength in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
| — Joel & Victoria Osteen |
