Hebrews encourages us to throw off everything that slows us down and finish the race by keeping our eyes on the prize—Jesus Christ. Do we keep our eyes on the finish line of faith? Our Heavenly Father wants us to have the will of a champion even in the midst of dark times. We are not to quit until we’ve made it successfully to the end of our race. Remember, life is not a sprint, but a journey.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.