My husband ran his first marathon years ago. A week before the event, Brady had no plans of being in the race. He was on active duty in the U. S. Marine Corps away on a training exercise. However, he called me two days before the Marine Corps marathon and announced his race entry.

Being the supportive wife I am, I said, “But you haven’t trained for a marathon! It’s 26.2 miles!” Being the calm person he is, Brady said, “It’s okay. I just did a 15-mile hike the other day. I feel like I’m ready for it.”

I drove from North Carolina to Washington D.C. to watch Brady run. The excitement of the crowd spilled over into my anxious heart and I began to cheer for him. Brady completed the race in 3 hours and 20 minutes. Pride in his accomplishment spilled all over my face.

What do you do well?  It may seem challenging to others, but you seem to sail through with ease.

Confidence flows from fitness. When I know I’m up to a task, I have little doubt I can complete it.

But when it comes to taking a stance against my fears, needing help with my weaknesses and yielding to God’s will, I need help to FLY: Fear not. Lean hard. Yield completely.

Specifically, I need to abide in the One who has already Risen. (see Matthew 28:5-7)

Thankfully, Philippians 4:13 takes me through the rigors of flight training.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13 NLT

Each time I spend time in prayer and His Word, I train.

Each time I choose to trust Him in spite of “everything” bombarding me, I strengthen.

Like Brady’s unplanned marathon, life can announce we need to pick up the pace or endure a difficulty for the long haul. If we aren’t prepared, it can lead to a crisis of faith.

Even if we have some sense of readiness, we still have to press through and believe God.

Brady told me just when he started to struggle, a race official handed him a cup of water. Later, a spectator yelled, “You’ve got this!”  Then, he saw me cheering from the sidelines.

When we’re thirsty, we have Someone giving us water too. When our faith starts to waver He tells us to press on. And from the right hand of God the Father, I believe Jesus is cheering for us. He knows we can make it through everything in His strength. When we believe it too, it brings hope for the heart and joy to the soul.

Click here for more information on this series and the “It’s Time to FLY” gallery!