Over the last ten years I’ve been on a difficult journey of being the parent of a troubled child. My daughter struggles with substance abuse, self-injury and depression. I compare it to running a race, only it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. I have a goal. It’s simple. I don’t want to give up or quit. I want to stay strong and keep my faith. I want to finish well.

There’s a phenomenon that sometimes happens in marathons. Around the 20th mile, runners begin to burnout. It’s known as hitting the wall. Legs aching, lungs searing, they feel like they can’t take another step. They have nothing left. All reserves are depleted.

I feel like that some days. I want a break – relief from the pain.

In the Boston Marathon the twenty-mile mark is called Heartbreak Hill. The last six miles are a series of hills that steadily climb higher and higher. To persevere and finish the race seems impossible. At this point you can’t look too far ahead, it’s too hard. You feel like you can’t go on.

Have you hit your wall? Have you reached Heartbreak Hill? If so, I want to encourage you. Don’t grow weary or lose heart. When you feel like you can’t go on fix your eyes on God and He will help you take the next step, and then the next. Take one day at a time – one moment at a time.  Keep trusting Him with your child. With this strategy you can keep going. You can make it to the finish line.  And in this kind of marathon crossing the finish line with your faith intact is winning.

With our eyes on the One who conquered Heartbreak Hill we can break through any walls we encounter. We will be okay. Our hope is in Him.

This Bible verse helps me persevere:

“”Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame;
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  (Hebrews 12:2-3)