Outrunning Life’s Cheetah
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
I was flipping through channels the other day and landed on the Discovery Channel. They were showing cheetahs in action, sleek and powerful, chasing down gazelles. It’s mesmerizing to watch, isn’t it? That explosive speed, the way they cut through the air like an arrow. But here’s something wild I didn’t know: a cheetah can only keep up that insane pace for about 20 to 30 seconds. After that, it overheats and has to stop sometimes to the point of risking its life.
I sat there, stunned. My first thought? That’s deep. My second thought? This is life in a nutshell.
Life often feels like that cheetah, doesn’t it? Stress, anxiety, anger, bitterness they’re always on our heels, running us down like prey. And no matter how fast we think we’re moving, it feels like they’re right behind us, ready to pounce. I’ve had my share of days where it seemed like I couldn’t outrun the weight of it all. But then I remembered something important: you don’t need to be faster than the cheetah to survive. You just need to outlast it.
That’s when the gazelle came to mind. The gazelle doesn’t panic and run in a straight line; it zigs, zags, and forces the cheetah to waste energy. And guess what? The cheetah overheats. It collapses. It quits.
This got me thinking: what if we did the same with life’s pressures? Stress can’t sustain itself forever. Anxiety, anger, and frustration burn hot, but they also burn out. If we can find ways to sidestep them, to slow down their momentum, we can escape what feels impossible to outrun.
Here’s where prayer, fasting, and meditation come in. These are the tools that help us zig and zag when life’s challenges are closing in.
When I pray, it feels like I’m plugging into a power source bigger than myself. Talking to the Creator isn’t just comforting it’s transformative. It shifts my focus, reminds me of what really matters, and gives me the strength to keep moving. Fasting, whether it’s from food, distractions, or even toxic thoughts, clears my mind. It sharpens my spirit. And meditation? That’s where I find my center. It’s like hitting the pause button on chaos. It lets me hear the still, small voice of the Creator whispering, “You’ve got this.”
But here’s the kicker: we’re not meant to do this alone. Having people in your corner who are genuinely connected to the Creator is a game changer. These are the ones who will pray with you, encourage you, and remind you of your strength when you forget it yourself. They don’t just offer advice; they stand beside you in the chase.
I remember a time when I felt completely hunted by life. Stress was closing in fast, and anxiety was gnashing at my heels. I tried running harder, working longer, doing more. But the faster I ran, the closer the cheetah got. I was exhausted, drained, and desperate.
Then I stopped. Not physically, but spiritually. I prayed like my life depended on it because, in many ways, it did. I fasted not just from food, but from distractions and negativity. I meditated, sitting in silence until the storm inside me calmed. And slowly, the cheetah started to stumble. The things chasing me lost their grip.
One day, while talking to a close friend deeply rooted in their faith, I realized something: the cheetah wasn’t as powerful as I’d made it out to be. Stress, anxiety, depression they’re only as strong as the hold we let them have. When we zigzag with intention, when we turn to the Creator and lean into that divine connection, those cheetahs don’t stand a chance.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Life still chases us. The cheetahs don’t disappear. But they can’t keep running forever. Stress will overheat. Anger will burn out. Depression will stumble. And when they do, you’ll still be standing because the Creator doesn’t just equip us to survive. He equips us to thrive.
So, the next time life’s cheetah is hot on your trail, don’t panic. Pray. Pivot. Fast. Meditate. Surround yourself with people who know the Creator and aren’t afraid to remind you of His power. You don’t have to be faster or stronger. You just have to hold on and outlast the storm.
Because here’s the thing about cheetahs they’re fast, but they’re not built to last. And you? You were made to endure.
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