Run to Win

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NLT

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

Spiritual discipline is not about punishment. It’s about training yourself now so that you are prepared to live the life God has called you to live.

Just like a runner has to discipline and train their body, we have to train spiritually. You don’t just show up to a race and say, “Well, I’m the winner. I showed up.” Showing up isn’t where it ends. That’s where it starts.

We have to live a life disciplined in our spirit to live for God.

Spiritual discipline is what helps us stand when life gets hard. We are all going to face trials, temptations, bad reports, and situations that are outside of our control. But when you have been training your spirit, you are able to handle those moments differently.

Instead of letting fear, feelings, or circumstances have the final word, faith rises up and says, “Yes, I hear that. Yes, I see what is happening. But I know my God is going to help me handle this situation.”

Spiritual discipline prepares you before the storm ever comes.

Here’s a challenge for you today:

Look at your spiritual life like a race you are training for. Ask yourself, “Am I only showing up, or am I intentionally training myself to be spiritually strong?” Make the decision today to run to win.