Run to Win: The Discipline of the Spiritual Life
Trials Are the Training Ground
Just as athletes train rigorously to achieve their goals, the Christian life demands spiritual discipline to triumph over life’s challenges. The trials faced along the way — illness, addiction, loss, financial hardship — are not signs of abandonment. They are opportunities for growth. They remind us of our dependence on God and of His unfailing presence, especially in the hardest moments.
Every Athlete Exercises Discipline
St. Paul puts it plainly:
“Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” — 1 Corinthians 9:24–25 (NABRE)
The standard is clear. An athlete does not train halfway. Neither should the pursuit of holiness.
Perseverance Builds What Comfort Cannot
Perseverance and faith are not optional accessories to the spiritual life — they are its backbone. In every trial, God is present: guiding, strengthening, and shaping. As faith deepens and trust grows, resilience follows. The soul that has been tested becomes better equipped to face what comes next.
Grace Is Enough
When strength runs out, grace steps in. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord tells Paul directly: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” That promise was not only for Paul. It is for every soul who has ever felt too weak to continue — which is to say, all of us, at one point or another.
1 Corinthians 10:13 New American Bible (Revised Edition)
13 No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.
If we are aware that God provides us with a way out, we must place our trust in Him. Standing firm in faith and using the Word of God as our main weapon against the destructive tactics of the enemy is crucial. For instance, if you receive a concerning report from the doctor, how you respond to this information can significantly influence your path to recovery.
Doctor’s Report
In February, following my regular mammogram, I received a report indicating something irregular. A follow-up appointment was scheduled, but it was two weeks away. My husband, Mike, is my rock. When I shared this news with him, he reassured me, saying, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, and I’m going to take care of you.” While his words were heartfelt and comforting, I couldn’t help but feel concerned.
Prayer
When the Report Is Not What You Expected
Trust Is the Weapon
When God provides a way out, the response is trust. Standing firm in faith and holding fast to the Word of God is not passive — it is the primary weapon against every destructive tactic of the enemy. How a difficult report is received, processed, and responded to can shape everything that follows.
The Doctor’s Report
In February, a routine mammogram returned with something irregular. A follow-up appointment was scheduled — but it was two weeks away. Those two weeks had to be lived through.
Mike, a steady and faithful husband, was the first to hear the news. His response was immediate: “Don’t worry — you’ll be fine, and I’m going to take care of you.” The words were heartfelt and deeply comforting. And still, concern quietly took up residence.
Turning to Prayer
The news was also shared with a sister, Jo, who offered steady encouragement. When thoughts of the unknown began creeping in, prayer became the response. The desire to appear brave was real — but so was the fear. Both were brought to God honestly.
Do Not Fear
There is a certain kind of Christian who prays boldly and fervently for others, yet struggles to receive that same boldness when the need is personal. That struggle is real and worth naming. In this season, the saints were called upon to intercede, and the Blessed Mother was asked to petition Jesus for a favorable report. There were moments of tears while driving. There were heavy stretches of prayer. And through all of it, trust in God did not waver — even when the heart did.
I also shared the report with my sister, Jo, who offered words of encouragement. Whenever thoughts of the unknown crept into my mind, I turned to prayer. Despite my desire to put on a brave face, fear still found its way into my thoughts.
The Second Appointment
A Long Drive and a Rosary
Mike drove again — not only for support, but because the mammogram had been accidentally scheduled at a location that might as well have been Timbuktu. The rosary stayed close the entire journey. When the name was finally called, the heart began to race.
More Invasive, More Painful — and Still Trusting
The examination this time was more invasive and more painful than the first. The one consolation was that results would be available before leaving. As other women came and went — told to change back into their regular clothes — the hospital robe stayed on. A full rosary was prayed in the waiting. Then a new nurse appeared.
Another Image
The doctor had ordered an additional image. Why another image? The question rose quietly — and then, just as quietly, everything was surrendered to the Lord. There was nothing left to hold onto but Him.
The Smile That Said Everything
After the examination, the nurse consulted with the doctor. The images were reviewed. Another angle was taken. The waiting stretched on. And then the doctor walked in — with a smile. That was enough. No words were needed yet.
Poor Mike had been waiting in the car for over an hour. When he saw the expression on her face, words gave way to something better: a prayer of thanksgiving, offered together, right there.
Fear, Faith, and the God Who Holds It All
Fear Is Not From God
Allowing fear to take root is like handing the enemy the keys to the mind. Fear is a spirit — a stronghold — but it is not one that has to be kept. The authority to bring it down is already given (Romans 8:15). God did not give a spirit of fear. That means its source is elsewhere, and its name is not hard to find.
What Fear Does to Prayer
When operating in fear, prayer weakens — because trust in God falters. A prayer offered without faith does not disappear, but it wavers. God still hears it. But three things become harder to access in that state:
- Encouragement — without it, the soul whispers nobody cares or why me?
- Wisdom — without it, God’s guidance goes unrecognized.
- Faith — without it, prayer becomes uncertain rather than bold.
Together, these absences can hold a person in bondage — which is precisely where the enemy wants them. Defeated. Doubting. Alone.
Misdiagnosed
When a neurologist suggested the possibility of Parkinson’s disease, the first response was not prayer — it was shock. Then tears. Then, eventually, prayer. And that is allowed. God permits those moments of sorrow not to crush us, but to draw us into His arms.
Every trial carries an invitation: draw closer. Trust more. Release control — because it was never ours to hold. Doubt makes the soul double-minded, wavering between conviction and uncertainty. God desires trust more than anything else — and for some, that is the most significant step of all.
You Are Never Alone
A Prayer for the Weary
Dear Heavenly Father, hear the cries of Your people who feel alone, weary, and overwhelmed. Please, Lord, help them persevere and carry their crosses. Deliver them from their afflictions, strengthen their faith, and guide them through the darkness. Thank You, Father, for Your unwavering care for us. Help us to trust in You in every area of our lives. Amen.
A Word to Hold Onto
Never forget this: you are never alone. He cares — and so does the one writing these words.
