Experience, hope and a reason to overcome, equips our souls for life

Lewis Pugh is a soft spoken, unassuming individual, but he has swum a few hundred meters through arctic waters and across a Norwegian Fjord. His latest swim was across a glacial lake at 5,000m (15,000 ft) below the mighty mount Everest.

It took substantial mental and physical training to prepare him for his swims. His sponsors have enabled him to enjoy the support and company of a small army of medics, supporters and an arctic sports phsychologist. But his mission is not an act of vanity. He is a serious champion of global environmental issues. His swimming stunts give him access to world leaders who make a ready audience for his impassioned pleas. He is also empathetic, giving moral support to leaders in their fight against public resistance.

However, what inspired me most was when an interviewer said that much of his preparation takes place without raising a finger or a breath of effort. It is at times like that when Lewis does mental and spiritual preparation. It amazed me that he does not use mind-over-matter techniques. Indeed leaps of faith and sheer bluster, once nearly cost him his hands. His preparation is sober and reflective. He won't even allow his team to cheer him on, preferring to be inspired by the beauty around him.

When asked about his mental and spiritual preparation he said, "I take myself all the way back to my beginnings and remember all my successes and failures, so I can remind myself of what I have overcome and why I can overcome again. Then I project myself forward to my last day and my last breath to ask myself, "what are you doing this for?"

Those are very spiritual perspectives. The Apostle Paul also argued that tribulation works hope building experience, so looking back to recall the times when God brought us through the struggles of life vitally informs our present and future struggles. But looking to the end of life helps to bring a divine and eternal perspective to life and a sound reason to overcome whatever lies between now and then. It anchors the soul through a hope that extends beyond the veil and and cleaves to the grace of God.  

(c) Peter Eleazar @ www.4u2live.net