Last week on our trip to Arkansas, I was determined to keep up with my running schedule, despite the fact that the cabins we were staying at were at the bottom of a hill and I’m used to running on a treadmill (yes, I know, I’m such a slacker to run indoors in air-conditioning! 
).
That first morning, I got up early, laced up my running shoes, and headed out into the humid weather, excited at the thought of running as the sun was still coming up. I quickly realized that running on a treadmill doesn’t hold a candle to running in the heat, humidity, and hills. In fact, I think I’d only run a quarter mile uphill before I started to wonder if I was even going to be able to make it a full mile!
As I was panting and struggling up to the top of the hill, I thought of so many of you who are experiencing similar feelings in your financial situation right now. You’re determined to get out of debt, start living on a strict budget, and/or working hard to put yourself in a better financial position.
You’re slogging up a steep incline, feeling like you’re barely getting anywhere. You’re tired, exhausted, discouraged, and wondering why you had this crazy idea to jump out and be counter-cultural in the first place. You want to give up, stop, or turn back.
I felt the same way as I was running up that hill. I kept thinking, “Why am I doing this?” My legs hurt, my muscles ache, and I really don’t want to keep going.
But I pushed myself onward, reminding myself that once I got to the top, the hardest part was behind me. There were times when I slowed down so much that I was barely jogging. A couple of times, I even walked for a bit when I felt so out-of-breath that I thought I might keel over. But I didn’t let myself stop until I got to the top.
And you know what? It was so worth it! As I started going downhill, I had renewed energy and a spring in my step. When only minutes before I felt like I couldn’t go another foot, now I was bounding down the hill with zeal. I would have never gotten to experience the thrill of running downhill if I hadn’t first put forth all the effort to claw my way up that long hill.
If you’re feeling like you’re barely making any traction with your goals and finances and every step forward takes almost more strength and stamina than you can muster, please don’t lose heart. It may feel impossible to keep going, but don’t stop–however tempting it may be.
Your hard work and incredible effort will pay off. Your many financial sacrifices will make a difference.
Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Keep inching forward–if even at a snail’s pace. The best is yet to come!
Subscribe for free email updates and be entered to win $100!
{ 69 comments }
← Previous Comments
Thank you! I needed to here this today! We are so very slowly getting out of debt and now have only three debts (car loan, one $500 credit card and a student loan.)
We just started Financial Peace University and are struggling with a big decision: do we sell our car to get out of the payments. We will have it paid off in a year but we could sell it now and get $5000 more than what we owe. We would have money in the bank (which we don’t now, only $300 start to our emergency fund) and give us a big raise every month since we won’t have a car payment. We have a truck and a commuter car so it isn’t like we would be stranded without a vehicle but we are struggling with the decision.
I really appreciate your encouragement and advice on your blog! This site is the first one I go to everyday to get good deals, coupons and encouragement.
Jennifer:
I just wanted to share with you that perspective helps any situation as Crystal was sharing. As one whose children are almost grown I would just encourage you to look at your circumstances a bit differently. What a privilege to be able to be home with your two children. If you do not have books to read to them then make up stories, sing songs together, draw pictures and make lots of time for cuddles. Some day you will look back and the irritations of the present moment will not seem as big. Giving our children time is much more important than anything money can buy.
Thanks for the awesome post! I just did my first triathlon which included a 5k run at the end and believe me when I say running is not my strength (I am a swimmer). I felt so slow and tired towards the end but I kept going and the reward was awesome! I feel the same way in our finances right now. We are debt free but trying to save for a down payment for a house and in our HCOL area it seems impossible. Thanks for the reminder to keep going! I will think of this in both my running AND our finances!
Great post! I’ve been running on a treadmill this summer to beat the Phoenix heat. To up the intensity and make it a little more like running outside, see if your treadmill has an incline feature or even a hill program. Bump the incline up a notch or two and outside won’t be such a change.
It brought tears to my eyes to read this article this morning! Some days it does seem discouraging to need to keep waiting for things that we would like to have, or to have to do so much work to get the best deal. I am so thankful to have been raised this way. My mom has always been an avid couponer/bargain hunter, and my parents got out of debt while still in their 30′s, raised 9 children, etc. They set a high standard! My husband and I are now in our 30′s, and have 5 children. We have only ever had our house mortgage as debt and it is our goal to pay that off as soon as possible. There are times though that even that seems daunting! In the past year I was diagnosed gluten-intolerant so I have been scrambling to make the changes needed, and yet not cause it to be too much more of an expense. ( Thank you for the other post on that as well! )
This article reminded me of the verse, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Gal. 6:9
This made me tear up a little. I really enjoy reading your blog and your encouraging posts help. Thanks!
← Previous Comments