On March 2, 2020, I wrote a guest blog for Heart Soul Mind called The Month of 1,000 Push-Ups.
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My friend decided to make January her month of 1,000 push-ups as a New Year’s goal of sorts. I mean, who doesn’t want nice arms, right? By her own admission, she is terrible at push-ups, so this was a pretty big deal. Apparently, after speaking to some co-workers about her goal, they started giving her grief.
“You’re gonna’ look like a dude by the end.”
“If the push-ups are so hard, why don’t you just stop?”
“You could just modify the goal and make it less.”
Clearly, she works amongst top-notch cheerleaders. However, I’m thankful for the opportunity to encourage her because there are lessons we can learn physically which can impact us spiritually.
What do I mean by that?
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured
out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5).
Paul talks about perseverance and endurance in reference to faith and pursuing our Kingdom purpose. He knows the enemy will come against believers who are making Kingdom noise. Paul understood that sometimes the hustle and grind can feel like standing still. He wanted to highlight the importance of pushing through and keeping on!
Kind of like my friend, maybe?
My Story
God chose a physical task, an Ironman triathlon, to speak to me in the greatest way and bring about the transformation of my life. I smoked intermittently (and socially) for most of a decade. I exercised 15-20 minutes a few times a week, and I have asthma. Yet, God called me to try something so physically challenging (so unbelievably physically challenging) in order to teach me perseverance.
I came face to face with the never-ending love of God while running. I discovered I’m capable of about 100x more than I ever dreamed possible. God showed me that tiny steps in the right direction are still steps in the right direction. I learned that sacrifice is necessary for success.
How did I learn these things?
God positioned and moved me into the best possible place for me to succeed (I didn’t even know what the goal was in the beginning, so it wasn’t my doing). He brought godly ladies into my life who supported my training and taught me what a woman walking with God looks like. God brought His love to me.
Like I said, I was a smoker who did some minor exercising. But, an Ironman? Do you know what that is? It’s a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run all in a row for a total of 140.6 miles. This is no joke.
The lessons I learned and wrote about in my book, Ten Iron Principles, may have been gleaned in the arena of athletics, but they are also applicable in the arena of life.
I’m really proud of my friend for taking on a difficult physical goal. And, I’m proud of her for telling people and holding herself accountable to it. That’s no small thing!
For the full guest post, visit here.
Love, K.
Author of Ten Iron Principles, Contributor in The Power to Make a Difference
Love your writing
You, and your friend pursuing 1,000 push-ups, are both to be applauded for willing to push yourself. We never know what we are capable of if we only set attainable goals in our lives. Good on you ladies. I can remember doing 1,000 push-ups in a week (young and in the military). Today, I would be hard-pressed to do 10! 🙂 Wonderfully inspiring post, and book, Ms. Kelly. God’s blessings ma’am.
I have read Ten Iron Principles and it is an inspiring book that shows, not only your strength and courage for taking on such an awesome goal, but reveals your spiritual journey as well. Most importantly, we see how God was with you every step of the way, just as He is with us during this Covid-19 pandemic.
Your story is intriguing, and I’d like to read your book. Just wondering if you’ve read Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins?
No, I haven’t! I’ll check it out.