You Can Do This (Even If You Think You Can’t)!

Friend, you are stronger than you think you are.

You are more talented than you believe you are.

You are capable, brave, and unstoppable.

Yes, you can do this!

No matter if it’s a goal you’re striving to achieve, a task you’re committed to finish, a challenge that seems to big to overcome. You have what it takes, my friend.

With God, nothing is impossible for you.

You can do this!

I never set out to bicycle across Iowa, nor did I ever desire to. My post last week shared more details. But, my husband and I are just coming off of an amazing, challenging, adventurous week. On Saturday we completed our 6th RAGBRAI on our tandem bicycle. RAGBRAI is the annual week-long bicycle ride across Iowa. For seven days, thousands of bicyclists peddle the same route from the west side of the state to the east.

Certainly, riding RAGBRAI is an amazing experience and a tremendous accomplishment! Even for those who ride a day or two. However, this year we peddled more than we expected… a whopping total of 491 miles for the week. Did you catch that?? 491 miles! Is that not crazy??!! Divide that by seven days and I come up with an average of 70.14 miles a day. That’s about 5-7 hours of bicycling each day. So, yes. That’s crazy. And on a tandem, well, that’s even a bit more insane.

But, we did it. Together.

There were moments I didn’t think I could keep going. A number of times I wanted to quit. My leg muscles ached, and at times my feet were a bit numb. Parts that shouldn’t be sore, were. And, in addition, putting up that tent each day after arriving at camp was just about to do me in.

But, I kept telling myself, “You can do this. By God’s grace and strength, you can do this.”

You see, I had been praying for days for good weather. I had been asking God to give us His strength, because I knew we couldn’t finish this ride on our own. We had too many things against us. My tailbone pain, our less than desired pre-ride training miles, steep hills which aren’t a tandem’s friend, and so on. I also sought Him for His protection and provision.

I knew the only way we could finish was with God’s help.

And, you know? He answered all these prayers and more. I’ll share more in a future post, but God reminded me again how He hears and answers even our smallest prayers. Our smallest whispers. Our tiniest requests. He answers them all.

If I can do what I thought was impossible, you can do what you think is impossible.

Because, friend, you don’t have to do it on your own strength.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 NLT

Thank the Lord we aren’t expected to do it on our own strength, because we can’t. Well, yes, we can, but it’ll be harder, more challenging, less fulfilling, and down-right exhausting. On the other hand, relying on God’s strength makes all the difference. He’ll give us strength beyond what we can ever imagine.

So, that challenge you’re facing? That goal you’re working to achieve? The task you’re in the middle of?

You can do this. You absolutely can do this.

How do I know? Because if I can peddle 491 miles across Iowa by God’s provision and strength, you can do what you need to do through His strength. So, ask God to give you what you need. Ask Him to give you His strength. Partner with Him in your plans. Friend, He’ll help you, but He won’t force His way in. Invite Him in and watch what He does through you.

You might just be amazed at what He does! Like me being amazed at peddling 491 miles.

But, don’t take my word for it.

Take God’s. In case you could use some extra encouragement, God’s Word is full of powerful verses regarding relying on His strength.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

God is my strength, God is my song, and, yes! God is my salvation. This is the kind of God I have and I’m telling the world! 

Exodus 15:2 MSG

Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God.

Ephesians 6:10 VOICE

Depend on the Lord and his strength; always go to him for help.

1 Chronicles 16:11 NCV

He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak.

Isaiah 40:20 NIRV

So, friend, rely on God’s strength today and in the days to come. Together, you can do this!

Much love to you today!