Why You Should Stay Focused on God’s Plan

It’s easy to lose sight of your calling when your emotions are leading you, but God has great plans for you, that require your focus for you to see his promise.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (TNIV)

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

 

When doing cardio one should always have a plan and set a goal.  My goal was to burn 500 calories, per workout. During my workout, all I would be able to focus on was the time, and distance that I had gone.  Don’t get me wrong, time and distance are both important, especially if that’s the goal for which you are training.  However, my goal was to burn a specific amount of calories regardless of the time or distance.

When one has a set plan and a specific goal when doing cardio, it causes you to perform at your best regardless of external conditions, distractions, or internal emotions.  There are going to be times in your training when challenges arrive—fatigue sets in, lactic acid, builds up, negative thoughts sneak in, and feelings of despair begin to overwhelm you.  These are all limiting factors that can affect your performance.  However, there is a big difference between being limited and being disqualified.

So don’t lose sight of what you’re after, and disqualify yourself for what God has in store for your future.  Know this; God has a plan for your life, and you’ll reach your goal if you focus on him.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (TNIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.