Last week, we discussed reasons we don’t have to fear, and I could only imagine those of you in difficult situations. Your worries aren’t from work or politics. Perhaps, it’s bigger for you. Your worry may be life threatening, or perhaps, even life altering. It might be singleness and finding that right guy, or it could be financial and maintaining a roof over your head.

What does God expect from us when the fears are real?

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 12:1-2

When we encounter the impossible hardship, we fight onward fixing our eyes on Jesus. In Romans 11, it discusses the endurance of others who held onto faith. Their lives were threatened. They were persecuted and destitute. Paul starts chapter 12 off with the word “therefore”. Because they endured all of those things, let us endure.

I can almost feel the weight of your discouragement. You’ve been running…what now?

Well, you don’t run aimless. You run with a target.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air.

1 Corinthians 9:24-26

Run toward Jesus. When you feel lost in discouragement or fear, point your life fully after Him. That doesn’t mean your hardship will disappear, but God offers us a reason for endurance. In Him, we can find courage to face our greatest struggles.