I woke up one very specific spring morning. My stomach was in butterflies. Today was a big day for me. Today was the day I would push beyond the limits I had set for myself and do something I had never done; run 2 miles WITHOUT STOPPING. The fear of failure filled my heart. I had successfully completed every run thus far on the couch to 5k program and the thought of not being able to do this run scared me. Fear of failure is a powerful thing.. even for something as small as this. But for me, this wasn't small. It was BIG! I got to the gym, did some stretching and began. I went slow and steady, remembering to breathe and focused on the music playing in my ears. "I can do this!" I reminded myself. Then, the 2 mile mark clicked on the treadmill and I slowed to walk. I had did it!! Emotions burst through my heart and I nearly wanted to jump up and down and squeal in that busy gym. Just as soon as I had experienced this amazing feeling of accomplishment, another emotion rushed in.. the feeling of being completely alone. I had no one to share it with. I texted my husband who was at work. He was busy and didn't get my text until much later. I drove home that day excited yet sad that I was experiencing this amazing accomplishment.. alone. When I started my health and fitness journey, I did it solo. I  completed the couch to 5k alone, trained for my first half marathon alone, and even ran my first half marathon among 25,000 other runners alone. Don't get me wrong, my husband has been an amazing support system. Granted he probably thinks I'm completely nuts for aspiring to run a marathon this year. At the end of the day I know he will always support what I do and I love him for that. However, I know that my health and fitness goals are completely up to me. I don't think anyone's feeling would be hurt if I ever laced up my running shoes again. To think of all the time, money and energy I'd save if I quit!

Here's the thing.. I learned very early in this journey that my success was completely up to me. If I relied on the support of others, I would have failed a long time ago. Not because my family and friends don't care.. but because I can't put all my faith and strength in them. I learned early on that my strength needed to come from something far more powerful and far more reliable! Psalms 146:3-5 says, "³ Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.  When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God." We can't put all of our hopes and dreams on the ones we love. They are guaranteed to let us down. Not because they want to let us down, but they aren't perfect. Neither are we. We need to get our strength and seek support from the only perfect One.. and that is Jesus Christ. He won't let us down, ever!  With Jesus on our side, we are never alone.

The journey to a happier healthier version of our self is not an easy road and it can often be a lonely one. Not everyone is going to be on the same track as us, but that doesn't mean we can't be successful. Walk boldly towards your goals no matter what your support system looks like. You have a Father in Heaven who is ready and willing to give you everything you need to find success. Look to him FIRST and you will be helped!