Mind over Matter

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I recently did a live fb video after a hard workout about "mind over matter". Since then, that phrase keeps popping into my mind with everything I do when I feel like I’m at the end of my endurance or when I have an opportunity to make a good choice, or not so good choice.

This mental shift all started by listening to an 8 hour podcast about the life of Joan of Arc. If you don’t know her story you really should look her up. She is an interesting character with a colorful story.

The biggest thing about her short life in the spotlight, is the fact that she believed so much in her mission that nothing, and I mean NOTHING, not even torture or risk of death could sway her from her goal. No amount of physical pain or mental agony could derail her passion.

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As I was running that afternoon, I had her on my mind. Of course, who wouldn't, after having her in your head for 8 hours? Now mind you, I’ve just started running again after the birth of my 3rd child ( and when I say “after”, I mean way after, as in, 19 months after. ) I’m going easy on myself and slowly working up in 5 minutes blocks. But on this particular day, I could hardly make it through even the first 5 minutes of running. My lungs were about to burst into flames and float to the ground like blackened pieces of paper and my legs were going to unhinge and fall off, or so I thought.

I reached the end of my street and slowed to a walk as I turned around to start back, determining in my head that I was just not strong enough yet and I would have to walk back. But then, I got this little urge inside of me to run again. I quickly squashed it with the fear that I wouldn't make it past the first mailbox. What the heck, I thought, fear will not hold me back. If the first mailbox is all I can do, then I’m going to jolly-well do it with pride. And I did. And I went onto the next one, and sailed past the next, and the next. Each driveway I passed I thought this is where I should stop. And the other voice in my ear said “if Joan of Arc could do what she did, I can do this simple thing". I pushed past the pain in my legs, the burning in my lungs, the lies in my head, and I jolly-well ran right back home!! I felt so powerful. I can’t even tell you what this did for my confidence. Crushing the wall I had build in my head of what I was capable of, opened up a whole world of possibility.

You are stronger than you think, guys! Believe in your goals and do not break the promises you make to yourself. Live with passion and develop mental strength. The battle is won in the mind.

There are so many verses about mental strength. In Proverbs it says " For as he thinks in his heart so is he".

In Corinthians we are taught to "take every thought captive".

In Colossians we learn to be "renewed in knowledge". Again in Proverbs it says God's words are healing to our flesh.

And one of my favorite is this verse in Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

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