It’s been a trying week for YHC’s family as my M found out that she has breast cancer on Friday, 3/31. Through all the emotions of fear, worry, anger, and the rest, we have had tremendous support from our family, friends, and F3 brothers. My wife never really understood the bond of F3. She knew it was important to me, but just could not personally understand the connection, until now. God gave us these men. He gave us our family and set up our support system without us even knowing it. This Easter, let’s remember that God gave us faith, hope, and love, the greatest is love. However, we must have hope and faith that He will provide, just as he provided us His son. To God be the Glory.
Here is how it went today:
Conditions: Partly cloudy, high 60’s
1 minute warning
Prayer/Disclaimer
Mosey to the top of Shawshank’s parking lot for COP.
COP all IC:
- SSH x 10
- LBAC x 10 each way
- TTT x 10
Recover
The Thang:
Line up at top of parking lot, facing the shelter
20 to 10’s:
- Merkins x 20, squats x 20, LBC x 20
- Run to second speed bump
- Reduce exercises by 1
- Run back to top of parking lot
- Rinse and repeat until you hit 10 reps, stopping at the top of parking lot
Mosey to last parking lot island
- Bear crawl to first light pole in island
- Burpees x 20 (or do like Coon Dog and just do hand release merkins)
- Bear crawl to next light pole
- Burpees x 15
- Bear crawl back to first light pole
- Burpees x 10
- Bear crawl back to starting point
- Burpees x 5
Mosey back to shelter
Mary at shelter:
- Flutter kicks x 25 IC
- American Hammer x 25 IC
- Boat Canoe x 5s rotation on Q’s command
- Six inches x 1 minute
Announcements:
- Don’t Suffer Challenge 4/29
- 4/7: Cross Ruck
- 4/15: Spartan Race
- 4/22: Tough Mudder guys weekend
Prayer:
- YHC’s wife, Ashley
- Praise for Chuckwagon and his wife for a good report, prayers for recovery
- Our Country
- Reason for Easter
Devo:
Holding Onto Hope in Hard Times
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33, NIV
We have all had those times when it feels like we just can’t win. At times, it can feel like all we are doing is struggling and taking it one day at a time. When this happens, it is easy for hopelessness to creep in and invade our thoughts.
As Christians, we are far from immune to these hardships. However, we can be sure that even in the midst of the most horrible situations and the most painful struggles, we have hope through Jesus Christ for better days.
Struggles in Life
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” — James 1:2-4, NIV
No one wants to endure struggles in life or to be in painful circumstances, but unfortunately, they are a part of life. However, just because we are facing difficult times in life does not mean we have to be overtaken by them. We still have control of our actions and attitudes toward a situation.
Does this mean we must constantly put on a happy attitude and hide our feelings? No, this is not what this passage is saying. Even Jesus cried at the death of his friend (John 11:35).
Rather, this passage is pointing out how good can come from hardships and how our faith during trying times produces perseverance.
Hope in Hard Times
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” — Romans 8:18, NIV
Knowing that good can come from trials may make it a bit easier to have hope in difficult times; however, in situations that seem truly hopeless, this may be harder to see. In such dire moments, we must lean into God and trust in His plan for our lives. Do we know what that plan is? No. Do we have to understand His plan to trust Him? No. This is the meaning of trust: we confidently put our future in His hands.
One way or another, we will find that our struggles come to an end, but during the pain we have “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV). We can come to Him with our struggles, worries and needs through prayer, and He will listen and be present with us.