Don’t Trip

But this one thing I do, forgetting that which is behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are in front of me, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.”
– Philippians 3:13 - 14

Over the past years, I’ve grown to love running. I enjoy taking a run around the neighborhood on a cool, clear day to help declutter my mind. A few weeks ago, I was feeling sluggish so I decided to go for an evening run before turning in, though I don’t usually like to run at night. As I was approaching the end of my route, I decided to move from the street to the sidewalk, to help avoid possible oncoming traffic. Leaping onto the sidewalk, my left foot landed between a crack in the sidewalk that I hadn’t seen. I fell, and I fell hard. Miraculously, I ended up with a bruised foot that only remained sore for a few days. No twisted ankle or torn ligaments, thankfully. And good news: it was dark outside so no one saw my wipeout!

After this, I decided to take a few days off from running and just nurse my foot. While I was happy to rest for a few days, I was still looking forward to getting back on the road again.

During my running rest, I looked up stats on runners’ injuries. I found out that runner gets injured quite frequently, and the injuries can be quite severe. Some of these injuries can be rather disgusting and pretty painful as well. But even with viewing these injuries, there was still a little voice in my head pushing me to keep running.

Whether it’s knee injuries, ankle injuries, even a hamstring injury, runners will get injured! But they still get up and keep running. Many of them will nurse their wounds and see a trainer too, all for the purpose of getting back in their shoes and hitting the pavement again. It’s something in their makeup; they have their minds made up that they are going to keep running.

When I started running again after my injury healed, I was a little slow to start moving. But after a while, I blocked it out of my mind and kept moving. When I got to the area on my running where I had my tumble, I admit I got a little triggered. But, mind over matter: keep it moving!

The next day, I saw a post on Facebook from my brother that said, “Don’t Trip Over What’s Behind You”. It seems so logical and simple, but it was such a great, fresh way to look at it. It is a message to remind people to not let their past trauma or mistakes trip them up from living a full life.

Of course, I immediately started thinking about my own “trip”. I thought, if I let the trauma from my injury the other day stop me from running again, that would be tripping over what was behind me. But what about past emotional injuries? Was I letting any of my past hurt or mistakes keep me from moving forward in life?

How many of us are letting trauma from past injuries keep us from getting back on the road of life and start running again?

Maybe you had an abusive or toxic relationship with someone and now you’re afraid to get into another, fearing it will happen again.
Maybe your parents deprives you of affection when you were growing up and now you’re afraid to have children of your own.
What about those of us who had traumatic experiences while in school? Some people have had such a hard time with teacher who didn’t understand how to teach a student with a different learning style. They have been so damaged by the school system that they think they are dumb and are afraid to even try.

Trauma is real, and when you are reminded of these painful experiences, they can keep you from having the life you dreamed of.

Soldiers who come back from intense wars often come back with PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Their daily lives are disrupted by this horrible new reality. Even those who have not seen the violence of war have had incidents in life that can cause their own PTSD. As we all navigate life, we will all have to deal with our own level of trauma.

I want to share with you a few ideas to help you deal with trauma in your life and not trip over something that is behind you.

Listen to Your Body

While I wanted to get back on the road the very next day, my bruised foot said no! I had to take a few days off.

I know many of us, myself included, like to think we are invincible and can keep running. But in order to make sure you heal properly, you must take a break when you get injured. Rest and recovery are essential to help you get back on the road and maintain a healthy life. If you jump back on the road too fast, you can worsen your injury and prevent it from ever completely healing!

When you have had a traumatic situation, be sure to take some time to rest. You may need to take a day off from work and just sleep in. Try to avoid repressing the issue, and get some rest as soon as it happens.

When I was in college, one scripture that i began to meditate on was Psalm 127:2

It is vain for you to rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to those he loves.

News Flash: GOD LOVES YOU! So rest! Rest in His love!

Some injuries happen and we don’t even realize it. Some trauma is serious and occurs before we are even aware of what has happened to us. Even with that, it is important to find time in your day to rest and assess your situations in life.

That’s why prayer is so essential. Your conversation time with God is important. Make sure to couple prayer with rest so your body and emotions can have time to heal.

Ice Your Injury

Rest is necessary, but you should also nurse your injury in a physical way – by applying ice or a hot compress to help with the blood flow. And if the injury is serious enough, you should of course go to a doctor to have them take a look at it. There is no shame in seeking professional or spiritual help to get you through your trauma!

When you are in the middle of the situation, it is almost impossible to be objective. So let an objective voice help you navigate the situation! It doesn’t make you weak if you reach out for help. It means you’re smart! Smart enough to realize that some injuries need the advice of experts, or even just someone who has been through more life than you.

Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.
– Proverbs 15:22

Make Your Mind Up to Get Back in the Game

When all is said and done, make sure to keep your mind focused on getting back in the race. Make your mind up that you are not going to let your past keep you from your future. Something I say every day in my prayer time is, ‘God, please help me to let go of what was in order to help me experience what will be.’ My life has been good, but I know that God has more in store for me. And if your life isn’t that great, you have to believe the best is yet to come!

When we run into trouble, human nature is one of three responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze. These evolutionary defense mechanisms have helped the human race survive any perceived threats. However, if you end up constantly fighting, that isn’t healthy; and if you keep fleeing, that isn’t great either! You need a balance.

But someone once told me, at the end of the day whatever you do, don’t get stuck. When I feel like giving up because the pressures of life are too hard, I remind myself what Harriet Tubman told the slaves as they escaped to freedom on the Underground Railroad: “If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”

So, I implore you: rest when you need to, ice your injuries, but make your mind up that you will get up from here and keep going. Do not let the pain of your past stop you from the promise of your future. Keep moving!

I know it hurt when that loved one died, but you will get through it, just keep going! I know it was terrible when that man said he loved you, cheated on you, and left you ashamed and embarrassed. But make up your mind that after you cry it out, you will get up and keep going.

In the face of abuse, keep going.
In the face of systemic racism, keep going!
In the face of depression, KEEP GOING!

I’ll be running right alongside you, and I’ll see you at the finish line!

—

For this writing, I thought it was also important to start a playlist of songs that either fit this theme or motivate you to not trip over what’s behind you! It’s just a handful of songs, but my hope is that you can also use it to build your own motivational playlists if you need! To access it on Spotify, click here.