Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith~ Hebrew 12:1-2
There are a number of terms for it, some of them rather colorful. Sometimes it’s called “throwing in the towel”, “giving notice” or “bowing out.” I generally refer to it as “calling it. ”The military calls it “deserting your post”, the English call it “bunking off”. I will not repeat the phrase my Father had for it; all you need to know is that it’s not the least bit appropriate.
Runners call it “hitting the wall.” I am partial to that particular expression because “hitting the wall” is about more than quitting. Hitting the wall is a moment in a race that appears to come out of nowhere. Suddenly the runner is overcome with negative thoughts and overwhelmed by the enormity of the task ahead. Every muscle begs for mercy. The runner longs to just give up and go home.
Hitting the wall happens for a number of reasons, some completely outside the runner’s control. Bad weather, outside distractions, fatigue, illness or lack of proper training for that particular race can cause even the most seasoned athlete to long to bow out of the race and hit the nearest Five Guys. Whatever the cause, the bottom-line is simple. When a runner hits the wall, they have a choice to make. Do they give-up and go home or do they dig deep and muster the strength to finish the race?
Runners are not the only ones faced with that choice.
At some point in the Christian life, every follower of Jesus hits a spiritual wall: a dark and ugly fork in the road where the walk of faith simply feels too hard and not worth pursuing. Deep down inside they don’t know if they can or even want to keep going.
No Christian wants to admit they’ve hit the wall but everyone does at some point.
Hitting the spiritual wall can come as a result of deep grief or profound personal loss. Sometimes it comes after a long period of remaining faithful in the face of what feels like endless disappointment. Mistreatment by other Christians can cause even the most mature believer to hit the wall. Other times, it’s a result of relentless attacks from the enemy. It can happen because of lack of attention to our spiritual life. Sometimes it’s a result of chronic overwork or discouragement.
The causes matter, but not nearly as much as our response.
There are two common responses to hitting the wall. The first is to get angry and run as far from God as possible. This reaction is born out of the belief that God could have and should have prevented whatever circumstances led to our confusion and misery. This all-too common reaction makes sense on a human level. However, it inevitably leads to spiritual disaster and is exactly what the enemy of our souls wants us to do.
The healthy (but hard) response to the hopelessness that occurs when we hit the wall is to run towards God (1st Corinthians 9:24, Hebrews 12:1). Running towards God begins with an honest conversation. We need to talk to Him about our situation and our feelings about it. This can be scary, many believers balk at the notion of being honest with God. It feels sinful and wrong to admit our anger and confusion out loud especially if we feel God could have prevented our misery. Being real with God isn’t something we do for God. God already knows exactly what we think and how we feel (Hebrews 4:12). We get real with God for our own good, to keep from getting stuck in bitterness.
Once we talk things out with God, it is time for an evaluation of our life and attitudes. We need to ask ourselves some hard questions:
Is there sin in my life need to repent of (Acts 3:19)?
Am I spending time in prayer and reading the Bible (Hebrews 2:2-4)?
Am I isolating myself from other Christians (Hebrews 10:25)?
Am I blaming God for the devil’s work (Luke 22:31)?
Am I praising Him in spite of my circumstances (Psalm 22)?
Am I choosing to believe God will work out His plan for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28)?
Am I walking in faith or fear (Isaiah 41:10)?
Once any necessary repenting is done, it’s time to trust. Trust that God’s love for you has not changed or faded. Trust that He is still on your side. Trust that this miserable, awful trial you are enduring will make you wiser, more compassionate and better able to serve. Most importantly, trust that God is good and believe that better days are right around the corner.
Because they are.
