We must constantly be on guard so as not to be choked, or asphyxiated, and thus fail to finish the race. What help do we have to stay the course? Jesus is the perfect lead runner, you might say.
إِلَّا أَنَّ دَرَجَةَ تَأَثُّرِنَا تَتَوَقَّفُ إِلَى حَدٍّ كَبِيرٍ عَلَيْنَا ،‏ أَيْ عَلَى طَرِيقَةِ تَجَاوُبِنَا مَعَ هذِهِ ٱلْعَوَامِلِ .‏