By Donna Astern

The apostle Paul wrote his disciple Timothy to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3)

Was that just about opposition to the gospel? Certainly both Paul and Timothy experienced that, but the whole concept of enduring hardness or difficulty is much, much wider.  How was Timothy going to be able to deal with opposition if he hadn’t learned about enduring in other areas of life?

Endurance involves the passage of time; it’s a choice to persevere when the natural tendency is to quit and complain.

For example, do you think Paul— the man who endured shipwrecks, beatings, betrayal, dangerous perils from weather & thieves— would he have “hit the snooze alarm” every morning given the option? (See 2 Corinthians 11:24-26.)  Why was Paul a warrior?

Consider the US Navy SEALS.

They are known as legendary warriors with a determination to prepare and to go into all kinds of extremely difficult and dangerous situations with the expectation of winning. What these men all have in common is the willingness to incorporate “hardness” into every area of life. They don’t take winning for granted, but build a life of daily preparation in order to win, as also do professional athletes.

What do you do when the alarm goes off, or the junk drawer is overflowing, or the dog wants to walk when you’d rather not, or you just don’t feel like doing a workout or reading to your kids again, or are too afraid to ask for a raise?

Any number of inconvenient or difficult or painful choices present themselves daily, and you can take the easy route. Most people do. We hit snooze, promise we’ll do it later, and allow our Inner Wimp or Sloth to take over.

A good soldier, a warrior, or professional athlete however, does things he doesn’t want to do or feel like doing every day. He ignores his desire to sleep in or eat junk or skip the workout or procrastinate or not have an honest conversation, and simply decides to do the right thing anyway. It always builds character.

Every time we decide to get past the first obstacle, we say no to the Inner Wimp, and yes to the Inner Warrior. Character builds a new track record, a pattern for Day 2.

Your Inner Wimp will daily give you reasons (excuses) why you can’t or shouldn’t. Ever have these thoughts?

• “I don’t feel like it”
• “I don’t need to; it’s not too bad as it is”
• “It’s too hard”
• “I can’t”
• “I’m not good enough”
• “I’m scared”
• “I’ll look foolish”
• “People will ridicule me”
• “I might fail”
• “I’m under grace, not law, so I don’t have to”
• “God hasn’t told me to”
• And so on.

What does the Scripture teach us? Consider these verses:

”Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things…” (1 Cor. 9:24-25)

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14)

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Heb. 12:11)

“He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.” (Prov. 13:32)

Paul writes: “…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am… I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil.4:11 &13)

And so on.

Spiritual habits

Suppose we begin to apply this discipline to spiritual habits? Perhaps setting the alarm a few minutes earlier to allow time for a morning practice of prayer and meditation? How might applying your heart to get quiet and listen set the tone for the rest of your day?

“n the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” (Mark 1:35)

“Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.” (Ps. 143:8)

Are you tired of your Inner Wimp holding you back?

You are meant to be an Overcomer, a Warrior. Overcome that Wimp! Grace is here to help you win!

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:14)

Start where you are without condemnation. Decide to begin now.

• Wash the dishes
• Put down the remote
• Pay attention to your kids instead of checking Facebook
• Make the appointment with your boss to discuss your raise or promotion
• Set the alarm and lay out your workout clothes
• Go the bed on time, not when the TV show is over
• Change your routine
• Post reminders to yourself

Make the decision to take action now. What can you do today? Begin something today that will make you happy in the future. Start small so that you can gather some “wins”. Those “wins” today will give you confidence to face bigger challenges tomorrow.

Again, no condemnation. We are all right there with you, all of us are works in progress. You can learn and grow past where you are right now.

Do you need an accountability partner? A workout buddy? Someone to check in with? There’s no reason to go it alone without support. Find someone who also wants to see you succeed.

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 These. 5:11)

What’s your plan?

What excuses have you allowed yourself to believe? There is a way to win, even if you need to modify the method. How will you override the Inner Wimp’s voice and allow your Inner Warrior to come forth?

You’ve got this! You can rise up strong and victorious, good soldier of Jesus Christ!

Additional prayer support or coaching is available to help you win!