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When I first started running, I was reminded repeatedly on running blogs to pick out a mantra to help me when training seemed difficult.

A few years ago, I watched a video of a professional athlete who used “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The athlete would open one finger for each word of the popular verse and said that it really made a difference on her endurance training. I have used this method myself a time or two in the past. It helps me focus on who is really doing all the work. But, I did not feel like that should be my mantra, mostly because it is a bit long.

I kept asking myself WHY I was running. And, the answer was “for the glory of Christ.” That answer reminded me of something our former life group leader said quite often to fire up our group: Onward! Upward! For the Glory of Christ!

So, I started telling myself “Onward!” when I felt like I couldn’t go any farther. I started telling myself “Upward!” when I hit a hill that I didn’t think I could reach the top of. And most importantly, when I started questioning “Why?” I would tell myself “For the Glory of Christ!”

Onward! Upward! For the Glory of Christ!

What is your “mantra?”