(NASB) Hebrews 12:1 “…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Encumbrances (burdens)
You live with burdens that can weigh you down day after day – do they?
Only the living God can relieve the stress from the pressures of life.
People use alcohol, drugs, sex, work or other ways to relieve stress.  Encumbrances (burdens) are pressures that make life – life!

(NASB) Psalm 147:6 “The Lord supports the afflicted…”
The Lord relieves, lifts up those who are yielded to Him.  He relieves the pressures of life…He doesn’t always make them go away but He does give you Himself.

No matter what you use to relieve the pressures of life, anything other than faith in the living God, – is only temporary.

Entanglements (traps that trip you up)
What are we to do about the traps which trip us up?
1st – ask for God’s forgiveness and possibly another’s forgiveness for sin or a sinful attitude.
2nd – turn to the living God and talk with Him.

(NASB) Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Take it to heart ~

Endurance (the long distance race of life)
Anxieties, weariness, worries, fears – pray and ask God for His help – then thank Him.  He hears your prayers to Him and He will answer you!

(NASB) Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

God’s peace ~ God’s amazing work of peace guards your heart and your mind.
Followers of Christ, our confidence and assurance is in God’s Son, Jesus.
Followers of Christ we are running with endurance the race called life and we are doing it successfully, by faith in Jesus!

Fix your thoughts and motives on Jesus as you run
~ with endurance.