“You have to go to school,” my father ordered.

My 12-year-old heart beat fast with worry. Just off the airplane from Bolivia, I knew no English. And America was too big, too different, and strange. Weeks of anxiety at school made the adjustment harder.

But what paralyzed me with fear were the relay races in which I was told to participate. The distance I’d have to run between the starting point and the next runner where I’d hand off the baton made my stomach cramp. With each new race, I anguished—what if I should stumble or drop the baton? What if I fell or caused my team to lose?

Have you been there? A new year begins. Another race. One more stretch of life is before you, and you wonder if you’ll make it. Ahead is a journey, uncertain and often painfully foreign. Sweat pours out. And you ask, “Will I make it one more step? Will I have enough speaking engagements? Will my marketing efforts pay off? Will I make it to the finish line?”

But while we question, God is not on the bleachers. He’s right on the racetrack, right beside us, hearing our every sigh of stress. Watching each obstacle in the way. And listening to each doubt that pours from our anxious heart.

And in the midst of it all, His reassurance pours and peace blots out fear. Even when we don’t understand the language of adversity, we step on the racetrack of life. And with the God of the universe as our divine coach, He takes us to the finish line with these seven promises:

1. With the firmness of His Word, He will give us confidence.
2. With His grace, He will lighten the load.
3. With His promises, He will cheer us on.
4. With His mighty hand, He will hold us up.
5. With His mercy, He will bring us through.
6. With His strength, He will keep us on track.
7. And because of His love, triumph will shine.

And with fear left in the locker room of negative emotions, God’s cheering fuels the soul: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Father, thank you for preparing the gold medal of triumph when we run on the track of your grace. I will run fueled by your power, and cheered on by your promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

• Will this opportunity be different for you?
• How will you face these challenges?
• What obstacles keep you from reaching triumph?

Janet

Cheering you on to experience life, harvest its lessons and share their outcome.