Run With Joy

Happy DAY 14 of the Run & Not Grow Weary blog series.
If you get something out of reading this, please share it!

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Joyful = Joy Fuel

Sometimes my BEST races are the ones I run with no time goal, when my head and heart do not carry the weight of a PR attempt and my mind isn’t heavy with the pressure of performance. When my focus is on enjoying the race, reminding myself how blessed I am to be able to run (even though my muscles hurt and my lungs may burn), I often run faster.

Why is that? 

Joy is one of many things that Christians need to learn to define differently. We separate joy from happiness, which is based on what happens (e.g. “Yay! I found 10 bucks, lucky me!) and momentary happy feelings caused by happy circumstances.

In contrast, joy is something you choose, a heart attitude you commit too, regardless of what happens. Not only that but joy is at it’s best when everything goes wrong. Joy allows hope to flourish in the chaos and boosts your endurance.

A joyful heart is good medicine. A broken spirit saps your strength - Pr 17:22 | READ Run With Joy Click To Tweet

Runner’s Get Joy

I don’t mean the runner’s high or endorphin rush, though those things are pretty sweet side effects. I mean the perspective change required to see something positive in the midst of something negative.

Because, let’s be honest here, running sucks. The physical act itself is uncomfortable. Being out of breath is not a happy feeling. Sore and achey muscles are not pleasant. Most people avoid getting hot and sweaty. If exercise felt good starting out, everyone would do it all the time. But it’s not that easy. 

And yet…we still run. We learn to see past the temporary “Ugh” and appreciate it for what it means to us. Feeling sore after a run means we’re going to get faster or stronger and we’re genuinely glad to feel sore! We associate the ICK feelings of running with all the WOW of the endorphin high, stress relief, and sense of accomplishment. Otherwise why would we keep doing it?

Joy isn’t the same as liking pain for pain’s sake. That’s something else entirely and not at all helpful. Yet, finding joy in suffering is a trait of the runner and the believer.

Run often. Run long. But never outrun your joy of running. - Julie Isphording | READ Run With Joy Click To Tweet

Joy is a choice. You can have a bad run and be bothered by it, but still choose to focus on the good that comes from the struggle, and keep your joy of running.

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I choose to run with joy! > 30 Day Run & Not Grow Weary series. pic.twitter.com/dQyVkNoVbP Click To Tweet

See More Run & Now Grow Weary blog posts here. 

Other Related Posts:

• The Joy of Suffering
• Phases of my long runs.
• Simple Thoughts On Patience
• Discomfort: A skill for running and life.