This morning as I made breakfast for my Darling Children and Darling Husband, I was listening to the radio. Darling Husband likes to listen to the Country Music station. The songs tend to be about real life rather than just the wishy-washy love (lust) songs some stations offer or the airy fairy spiritual songs played on other stations.

Don’t get me wrong. I love listening to Christian music, and I also enjoy a good love song (usually from the 80’s, when stalker songs were at their height!!! 😀 LOL!!) But nothing grabs my attention like some of that Country Music Garbage (okay, only those who have heard David Meece’s concert album from the 80’s will get that!! It’s a “Location Joke”. Please don’t take offense. If you get the joke, leave a comment!!! Let’s have fun with this one).

So. In the wee hours of the morning, before the sun had made it over the tree tops, I heard this song for the very first time:

If your going through hell
Keep on going, don’t slow down
If you’re scared don’t show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there
 (by Rodney Atkins)

This made me laugh and also think a little.

How often do I just sit down in the middle of ‘Hell’ and cry and feel sorry for myself and moan about the circumstances in my life?? 

If I do that, then the Devil wins! He gets the victory. If I sit down in the midst of my ‘Hell’, then he has a chance to come and chat with me about things and emphasize how horrible it all is. And as he does that, he Slimes me, and puts Chains on me. His Minions come and set up camp, too – Depression, Anger, Bitterness, Self Pity, even Self Righteousness and False Humility. They all come and sit with me, feeding the pain and imprisoning me in Hell.

But, if I stand up and keep running, keep my eyes focussed on the prize (Jesus), then I can move through this ‘Hell’ without even giving the Devil and His Minions a chance to take hold of me and imprison me.

So how does one keep running?? When you’re in the Fire, when you’re takes you through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, how do you keep running?

One of my ‘Life Passages’ in the Bible is Psalm 71. I love the Psalms, because the writers don’t deny the ‘Hell’ that they went through, but they always come back to the awesome, wonderful Grace of God that brings them through it, and Praise God for His Goodness and Kindness. For the Christian,  Growth happens in the midst of the trial, not in the absence of it.

v 14-16 But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long though I know not it’s measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
v 20-21 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

James 1:2-4, 12 Consider it pure joy, my bothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

I believe the best way to keep Running is through ‘Hell’ is by Praising, Thanksgiving, Rejoicing, Worshipping God, and Resting in His Peace. When we Trust in His Love and Mercy, even in the midst of our ‘Hell’, we are hidden. He covers us with His protective Wings, and the enemy cannot see us (Psalm 91:1-2, 4-8). The Devil and His Minions are blinded and we can walk through ‘Hell’ covered in His love, our hand firmly in His, with our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Sometimes that means you’re trudging through the mire, with tears streaming down your face and balled fists and clenched teeth, singing “You give and take away, you give and take away. My heart will CHOOSE to say, LORD, Blessed Be Your Name!!!!” You might feel like you’re hanging on by the skin of your teeth. And all you want to do is sit down in the mud and let Self Pity and Bitterness overwhelm you.

But you Stand. You say “Thank you, Lord. For your Faithfulness and Kindness and Goodness. I don’t believe it right now. But I will run until You have led me all the way through this ‘Hell’ and I can see the light of day again.”

“But as for me, I will always have Hope…” Psalm 71:14a

How do you keep running when you’re going through ‘Hell’?

photo credit: Myrtle Beach Triathlon Club