How Divine Strength Sustains the Christian When You Hit “The Wall”
Virtually everyone can start a race but it takes a special quality to finish it well. On the start line, you experience fresh energy, fresh hope, fresh motivation. Without that vital element of endurance, you probably will not be able to finish the race. This is true for an athlete but is directly applicable to the life of a Christian.
What is Endurance?
Essentially, it is the ability to withstand hardship, suffering or adversity without giving up. This is not tested at the starting line but it is at the halfway point when the excitement has faded and the finish line still feels far away.
Famous Reflections
- ‘Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it’ – Oprah Winfrey
- ‘The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running’- anonymous (adapted from Ecclesiastes 9:11)
- ‘Sometimes the moments that challenge us the most, define us’ – Deena Kastor (Olympic marathoner)
Personal Reflection Self Awareness Quiz: Score yourself 0 – 10 (0 means Strong Disagreement and 10 means Strong Agreement)
| I respect people who start and finish more than those who give up | |
| My friends regard me as someone who follows through even when it costs me | |
| Once I begin something, I commit myself to completing it | |
| I regret promises I made that I did not see through | |
| I need stickability to see my decision to follow Christ through |
Total _____________
Personal Scores:
0 – 10 Perseverance is not something that seems to be important to you. Does that surprise you? Do you wish it was?
11 – 30 Endurance is something you can respect in others but have you decided you want it for yourself?
31 – 50 You seem to be committed and want to press through hardships in following Christ but you know it can be tough.
A Simple Parable
Young Freddie loved running… for the first five minutes. Every school race, he sprinted out with enthusiasm and then fizzled out halfway through.
One year, his mum whispered before the race:
“Today, don’t try to win. Try to finish.”
So Freddie ran differently.
He slowed down.
He breathed.
He kept going—even when his legs burned and others passed him.
He crossed the line last… but finished strong.
Mum hugged him and said,
“Endurance isn’t about speed. It’s about not giving up when everything in you wants to stop.”
Encouragement: Persecuted But Not Abandoned
Marathons are big events around the world and over 15 million people have taken part so far – Berlin, New York, London, Tokyo. Many more have been encouragers – coaches, family members and those countless people who cheer on from the side. It is these people who can make the difference, especially when a runner hits ‘the wall’.
The Wall
Most marathoners hit ‘the wall’ between miles 18–22 (around 30–35 km), when glycogen stores run critically low and the body is forced to switch to slower fat‑based energy. This shift triggers a dramatic drop in pace, heavy legs, mental fog, and a powerful urge to stop. Encouragement helps overcome the negative mental downward spiral and boosts motivation.
When Christians Hit The Wall
If you are a follower of Christ, did you realise when you set out that it is not a sprint but a marathon? Those who run this race will hit ‘The Wall’ – disappointment, discouragement, moral lapse, relationship difficulty, family and social pressures. There are any number of things that can make you feel like giving up. At such times, what you need is encouragement.
Three Encouragements For You From God
‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart’ – Hebrews 12:1-3
The Witnesses – these include the many who themselves having gone ahead have already ‘crossed the finishing line’ (Hebrews 11) and those around you who are cheering you on now
The Word – this passage from Hebrews is just one of many passages in God’s Word to encourage you not to give up but to persevere, to watch and pray
The Lord Jesus – if anyone had reason to give up, it was Jesus but He pressed on for your sake. With His race complete, He now is your Advocate being with you by The Holy Spirit every step of this difficult way.
Moreover, God declares that He is for us (Romans 8:31) – nothing can separate us from Him and His purposes for us in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37-39).
All Surpassing Power
You may feel fragile but God endows His power to ‘jars of clay’ just like you and me. He will not abandon or forsake you:
‘But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed’
– 2 Cor 4:7-9
All Things
The phrase ‘I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me’ is found in Philippians 4:13. You could interpret that in context as ‘I can endure all things [or be content in any situation] through Christ who strengthens me’. This does not mean you become like superman but you are given a spiritual strength that is beyond you enabling you to find contentment in both plenty and need.
Endurance is choosing faithfulness over feelings.
It’s the quiet decision to keep going when your emotions, energy, or circumstances shout out, ‘Stop!’
God doesn’t ask you to be the fastest—He asks you to be faithful.
Today’s Challenge
Identify one area where you’ve been tempted to give up.
Take one small step forward today.
Not to win.
Just to finish.
Prayer
Lord, when I feel tired, discouraged, or tempted to quit, whisper again to my heart: ‘Just finish’
Give me strength for the next step, grace for the next breath, and courage to keep running the race You’ve marked out for me.
Keep your eyes on Jesus and remember to cheer on others who may be struggling at present.
For more reading: just CLINGING ON – Connect4Life
An inspiring listen from Hillsongs: ‘Another In The Fire’ (Daniel 3:24-25) –
Comments