Heavy things take time
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” ”
Last week, during a workout, I decided to do the RX+ option. During every CrossFit workout, there is an RX weight. An RX weight is the ideal weight for the workout. RX+ is ideal and then a little bit more. On any given day, RX weight is doable but on this particular day, I decided to up the anty and go for RX+.
I hadn't even made it 1 whole minute into the workout before I strongly regretted my decision. The medicine ball was too heavy and my arms were exhausted. I knew that my coach wouldn't let me drop the weight. So, rather than throwing in the towel, I committed to simply finishing the workout.
I was watching people pass me one round after the other. It was frustrating, the weight was heavy, and I hate feeling left behind. Over and over again I was telling myself, "I'm stronger than this, I shouldn't be this slow." Then, in the middle of my second round, it seemed as if God painted a precise picture of what His delay looks like.
Have you ever felt frustrated because things weren't going as fast as you'd like? Have you ever looked around the life you live and felt like everyone was lightyears ahead of you? If so, no worries, you're in good company. If I'm not careful, I can fall into a comparison trap quicker than I can blink. It leaves me feeling depleted, frustrated, and if we're honest, just not good enough.
But friend, I want to share with you what I learned that day. Everyone I was surrounded by had the same amount of rounds and reps that I did. Everyone around me had a task at hand and everyone around me had to work until it was completed. The delay in my timing didn't come because I am too weak nor did it happen because God stopped giving me strength. The delay I was experiencing was a direct correlation to the weight I was lifting. Heavy things take time.
So the pressure is off. You can trust that God is good, He is for you, and His timing is perfect. You can kick depletion and frustration out of the party. You can walk away from that comparison trap. "God is too good to be unkind, too wise to be mistaken, and when you cannot trace His hand, you can trust His heart." (Charles Spurgeon) It's okay if you feel behind, remember, heavy things take time.