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Therefore let's also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let's run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1–2 WEB.

As the technician increased the levels on the treadmill, it became increasingly difficult to keep up with it. They raised the incline and speed every three minutes until you were under great stress, and I was literally running uphill. They had monitors taped all over me. The hospital staff was closely watching a computer screen with little jagged lines that scrolled by while it recorded my progress.

Before I started, I asked them if there was a time limit or a goal, and they said, "Just run until you can't run anymore." When I asked about a level cap, they just smiled and said, "No one beats the machine." After four or five increases, I totally agreed and finally told them that I couldn't go on. At that point, I felt it was more like torture than a stress test.

When walking with God, there are times when we will endure a stress test much like that. Jesus did, for it is written that He endured the cross, and His sweat was as great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). There is a great cloud of witnesses watching us take this test, and no matter how much faith you have, God has an appropriate test for it.

At a point in my life, I felt that I had great faith, but God also had a great test for it. In the end, I was a broken man. No one beats the machine, for it scales accordingly. If you disagree, read the book of Job again and picture yourself in his place.

God knows how much you can take, and He isn't trying to kill you. He could do that easily enough. When you have finally reached your limit, He will slow the treadmill. Like me, you may find that you can go much further than you thought you could, and you will be stronger in the end.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please give me grace and strength to serve you with all of my heart. Help me face the challenges that I meet with the right attitude. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Today, we will be hosting our Wednesday morning prayer service at the usual time of 10:30am EST! This is a short service, about 15-20 minutes, where we pray together for any needs you would like to share. Hope to see y'all there! As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.