Pushing Through a Bad Run—Guest Post at Rachel Held Evans

Over the past few years, I meet a writing friend, Rachel Held Evans online. Her writing has been a major help and comfort to me during my roller coaster spiritual/religious transition over the past few years.

Then I had the pleasure of meeting her this year and playing host through Amish country for her, when she came to this area to do research for her next project/book. And Rachel graciously read an early copy of Because I Can and then wrote a kind endorsement for it.

Today I have the honor of having a guest post on Rachel’s popular blog. In the post, I compare my running journey with my spiritual journey. 

Here are some excerpts from my post Pushing Through a Bad Run …

.

How do the ups and downs of my recent runs compare with the spiritual roller coaster I’ve been on over the past few years? My beliefs have been in transition, which at times has been exhilarating and other times exhausting…

.

A few days earlier I ran four miles with friends and I was ready to swear off running forever. I was tired, I hurt and I know my friends were ready to kill me because all I did was complain about my body, the weather and anything to do with running…

.

I’ve been having a bad run. A bad run of faith and beliefs. I’m tired, I’m hurt and I know my friends are ready to kill me because all I do is complain about Christianity, churches and anything to do with religion…

.

Go to Rachel’s blog to read the whole post … and then give me your advice. Yes, I’ve opened that door, the floor is yours … I need advice.

 

Bookmark and Share
  • Other1400

    Janet – I am encouraged by your simple honesty. If only more Christians were so candid and not afraid to be called heretics for sharing thoughts of doubt & struggle that are so frequent and real.

    I’ve been through my fair share of bad spiritual runs – and could say I’m in one of sorts right now. I think your own words are wiser than you realize! Just getting out there and continuing. Trudging along. The only thing I could add is something I’ve continued to tell myself as I’ve struggled: despite how ugly everything gets, despite my intense doubts about specific ins-and-outs of what God would want me to do or not do – just know that He *is*. And He is real. He is loving, and He will wait for us through our struggles. And whatever other people think – including our family & friends who can hurt us the most – it’s not what they think that matters. It’s where each of us and God stand that matters. And to continue showing grace-filled love to those who hurt us regardless.

    I am thanking God for your story and the encouragement it has brought me. And though figuring out this thing called ‘life’ isn’t always pleasant, I am grateful for His presence through it. I hope that you will continue to persevere.

  • Pingback: Telling Lies—Guest post at Jesus Needs New PR | Janet Oberholtzer

  • Pingback: Tackling Transformations—Guest Post in Australia! | Janet Oberholtzer