Skill Building Series

Author Richard Foster first wrote about the idea of the difference between training to do something versus trying to do something.

Author John Mark Comer said if you want to try to run a marathon, you pay the entrance fee, you go to the store and buy a pair of running shoes, then show up on race day and try. But if you want to train for a marathon, it takes a plan. Next you add in some discipline. Finally, you need months and months of training before race day.

Whatever your battle or challenge training, not trying is the goal. Training includes having a plan, then daily working that plan. And periodically rebind adjusting the plan.

Skill 5

Today, train don’t try.

Some individuals will try to use willpower. Willpower is fresh and strong in the morning. But willpower fades as bedtime nears. Switch to a training model.

Prayer

Father, help me train today. Help me use a plan and discipline. Help me take small steps in the direction of growth. Help my mind not work against me and help my body cooperate. Help me operate as one. Amen.

Bible

You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one runner gets the prize. So run like that. Run to win! All who compete in the games use strict training. They do this so that they can win a prize—one that doesn’t last. But our prize is one that will last forever. So I run like someone who has a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something, not just the air. It is my own body I fight to make it do what I want. I do this so that I won’t miss getting the prize myself after telling others about it. –1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ERV)