Look up! Run the Race with Endurance

Run with Endurance
Jessie Bongiorno
Photos by Jessie

Ever since I began to share about my struggle with depression and anxiety – I have had so many people open up to me…. it is to these people I write these words…


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders ….. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Hebrews 12:1-3 
One step every day will eventually get you past wherever you may find yourself at the moment. Click To Tweet

I Love to Run

Run with Endurance
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The open road and my worn shoes sometimes seem like the best inspiration and listeners a girl could ask for. Running allows me to physically release everything I hold in on a day to day basis…
If you struggle with anxiety- you know what it is like- to have those moments in a day when you are at work or doing whatever it is you gotta do- and life is just too much.
And although on the outside you appear okay- on the inside– it is a whole other story. Some days are so bad you don’t even recognize the person you are in that moment. To me- there are days when it feels like a raw nerve is exposed and all it takes is one poke and all these anxieties come out in anger or tears- that can be an embarrassing experience, but it is a human one.

Make a Choice Concerning Your Depression

I will never forget the day when I was running- and I let go of the thought that I couldn’t run any further. That year I ran two half marathons. Whenever someone asks me how I can run so far I always say that they can do it too you just have to know you can. Running- while intensely physical- is completely about your mindset.

Top of the World
Jessie Bongiorno – Run the Race with Endurance

Recently I made a choice.

My choice wasn’t to “not be depressed anymore” or to “not be anxious anymore”. Obviously, that is impossible. What is possible is to be successful in life- to be depressed and anxious but to NOT let those things take your life away from you. Just like running those uphills- living your life when you struggle with anxiety and depression can be extremely difficult- but just as I am able to make it to the tops of those hills- I also can live my life.

How?!

Well- here’s my inspiration for you.

Sometimes when I am running up a really hard hill (like on Snake Road) things get hard. It gets harder to breathe- sometimes I get cramps or pains. But a trick I use- is to distract myself by looking around at all of the beauty around me. It calms me- helps me to breathe and gives me the inspiration to keep going.

So in turn- in those moments… remember what is beautiful in your life. Think of your family and friends – of those you love and those that love you. Think of all you have accomplished.

And REMEMBER

You are worth something….and you can get past this moment, even if all you do is just get past it.

You are worth something and you can get past this moment. Click To Tweet

This is what builds your strength- just as you build endurance while running. Eventually what used to be extremely difficult becomes less difficult- because you are becoming strong.

#RiseUp #LivingWithAnxiety #LivingWithDepression

Jessie

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curleque by Coffee at pixabay

Thank you, Jessie, for these words of encouragement. I recently spoke about facing adversity. One of my points was to look around at the beauty instead of down at the muck and mire of our lives. Keep looking up! God will get you through this! I’m reminded of this wonderful verse from the scriptures.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

 Feeling Your Pain;

Mandy Farmer

 

 

 

 

 

Dealing with Depression or Thoughts of Suicide?

Please talk to someone. Call the Suicide hotline. They are waiting for your call 24/7. And it’s confidential. Don’t wait any longer. Reach out for help. We love you.

 

7 Comments on “Look up! Run the Race with Endurance”

  1. As a fellow runner I really relate to this post. It made me smile, laugh and remember. So good. I love the trick of looking around when you are in pain. I have started focusing on one more light post instead of one more mile. Since I can see the light post it gives me the push to keep going. 🙂
    -Amanda Huffman

  2. I am definitely not a runner, but I can appreciate those who love to do it.. and I can definitely apply the analogy and thoughts in your post to what I do enjoy doing. thank you for sharing at #DanceWithJesus where we are neighbors

  3. I love running, too! I’m running a half marathon on Feb. 19 and a marathon on June 5 (part of my list of fun things to do during my 50th year). Running is a metaphor for life.

  4. It’s amazing how changing our perspective changes things. When I was running regularly, I’d often set my eyes on some forthcoming marker (streetlamp, bridge, car). Once I made it to that goal, I’d find another. That’s what it’s like we “fix our eyes on Jesus,” except that we just keep looking to Him.

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