The name of "Roger Bannister" is historically associated with the breaking of the four minute mile. In that world famous completion on August 7, 1954 called, "The Mile of The Century," Roger Bannister defeated John Land who also broke the four minute mile! "Both drove themselves to extremes of exertion (training sessions of 10 -14 58-second quarter miles with one lap walked between) which would have staggered the average U.S. athlete."

What many may not know about Roger Bannister is that he was Doctor Bannister. Dr. Roger Gilbert Bannister was one of the very elite of 5% who finished medical school in London without failing a single exam. Roger studied the physical side of human exhaustion at Oxford. Almost daily, he ran to the limits of total exhaustion on a treadmill. He inserted hollow pointed needles into his fingers to test his levels of lactic acid which is medically related to muscle activity. To test the limits of exhaustion, he ran with an oxygen mask secured to his face to extend his capabilities under testing conditions.

There are examples of emotional exhaustion recorded by God in the Bible to let us know that such can happen to even God's people. One such example can be found in the life of Elijah. God not only identified Elijah's physical exhaustion, which was one aspect of his draining experience on Mount Carmel, but He also identified and addressed Elijah's emotional depression because such is a part of real life even among God's people.

Not only Elijah, but many other saints felt the reality of emotional exhaustion. Joseph, Daniel, Esther, David, Paul, and of course our Lord Jesus are but a few who knew what it was like to push the limits of emotional running. Therefore, we are encouraged to look unto Jesus who for the race that set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame.

Physical exhaustion and emotional exhaustion are only similar in that they are both medically identified as a form of human exhaustion. However, one cannot train for the demands of emotional exhaustion by engaging in daily workouts on some kind of treadmill, like Roger Bannister did. There are no emotional treadmills that one can workout on to build one's level of endurance. Trials come in all different lengths and when we think that we are up to this or that race, we may well find ourselves again out of spiritual oxygen. As the scriptures state, He that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.

However, discouragement or spiritual depression can be fortified by a supply of heavenly oxygen. In Elijah's life, God attempted to supply that heavenly oxygen by giving him a proper vantage on exhausting experiences. The Lord attempted to say to Elijah that He was in the still small voice, and not in the earth shaking events that had just transpired. Breath deep, Elijah! Breath of the refreshing will and plan of God and set aside the stale air of your plans and programs. That will give you the ability to extend your capabilities and service.

Jesus wants to say, "Keep Runing," "Don't give up," "You can finish the race," "Breath deep"!