Heartbreak Hill (Part 2)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” Hebrews 12:1 

In the Boston Marathon, runners have an easy run of 19 miles until they reach what is known as “Heartbreak Hill.” Heartbreak Hill is located in one of the loneliest places of the race. When you first leave the starting gate, there are cheerleaders with banners and signs. There are thousands of fans clapping. But at the 20-mile mark, when you arrive at Heartbreak Hill, there are no fans, and no one is cheering. No one is there saying, “You can do it!” Some of you can run as long as people are bringing spiritual Gatorade and encouraging you. But there is a place we all get to in our walk with God, where you will encounter a “Heartbreak Hill,” and there won’t be anyone there to push you along. There will be no visible finish line, and you will be overwhelmed and exhausted. The only voices that will matter in that moment are your voice and God’s. You will have to do as David did and encourage yourself in the Lord.

Maybe something broke your heart. It took the wind out of your sails. Your heart may be shattered. You may be facing a “Heartbreak Hill” today and asking God, “Why did my marriage fall apart? Why did this happen to my child? Why did my Dad leave me? Why did this bad thing happen to my family?” There will be seasons where you run downhill, and it’s easy and wonderful, but then there will come times when you hit a wall and feel like you can’t go on anymore. But the Bible says in Psalms 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” This verse is not just saying your easy steps are ordered by the Lord, but also your climbing steps. You may have never thought you would be at this “Heartbreak Hill,” but if you press on and keep going, what the enemy meant for your evil, God will use for good. (Genesis 50:20) 

Some of you are facing tragedies and hardships, but you cannot continue living in yesterday's pain.

You have to quit thinking about it, talking about it, and building your life around it. It’s time for you to grit your teeth, dig in, and run over that hill. God promises us that there is a wonderful prize on the other side of “Heartbreak Hill” if you won’t give up.

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