It was this weekend, many years ago, I ran the Long Beach Marathon. I am not a runner! I was an elementary school swimmer, competed in the Junior Olympics, and swam on a swim team until high school. I really like to swim. I only ran when I had to or when I couldn’t get to a pool. However, a good friend made me ashamed to train and run a marathon !! You know 26.2 miles, 42.1 kilometers. It’s a long distance! I didn’t know how I was going to do it. The “good” friend who made me ashamed of running also gave me a training method that included walking intervals! This is called the Galloway run-walk-run method. The premise behind the method is to provide a break from the muscle tension associated with running long distances. So, I started to train. I would run for 3 minutes, then walk for one. This break gave me the strength to continue. And it works! I finished the marathon on time, all because of the strength of the break.

It also works in our mental marathons, or in the regular stress and strain of our brain as we live, work, and play. Mental health experts say there is power on hold. These moments to stop an activity in progress and redirect our thinking allow us to increase our concentration, to know that there are other choices, to reduce stress, to help maintain interest and energy level. , better concentration and to renew mental strength. There is much more, but the strength of the break is enormous.

God wants us to take time out. A big part of this is stopping and praying.

Philippians 4: 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

When we take this time to take a break, watch what happens …

Philippians 4: 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

As our days get stressful and impacted, let’s take breaks to build your strength. I know when I switch from one activity to another, I just take a minute or two and pause while I sit in silence and say a few words to God. I know he loves it when we pray. This break helps me be present in the moment to come, and I feel even more connected to God.

In addition, after a hard week of work or several days of intensity, it is useful to take a longer break. As you read the creation story of the Bible in Genesis 1: 1-31, God paused.

Genesis 2: 2 And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done.

Now God doesn’t need to renew strength or regroup or anything that a break might bring, but we do !! There is a reinforcing power on pause. Why not give it a try? It can really help you and give you the strength to get through the next part of the marathon you are running.

Church is a great place to take a break, attend a worship gathering, and connect with God. If you do not have a church that you attend regularly, we would like to invite you to view or visit the neighborhood church. Our website has all the information you need for the times and locations of all of our Sunday gatherings. We would love to have you join us. You can also find us online at quartierchurch.com. Also, if you would like to see any of our previous worship gatherings or videos, visit our YouTube channel, or just search Neighborhood Church Cypress or Neighborhood Church Los Alamitos on their YouTube site.

Seeking to engage in muscle building breaks with you,

Mike