It’s that time of year. You know, that after holiday I’m gonna get in shape and burn off my holiday fat time of year! Well, that’s the hope anyway. Working out is much more painful than it used to be but there’s that good feeling of strength that comes afterward as your body recovers. It’s not just a feeling but we actually do get stronger, but not without first putting our bodies through some hardship. Our spiritual life is no different. Without hardship we cannot grow. The hardship part is painful but it’s in the recovery time that God shows us the work he has done to strengthen us. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians , he explains it as someone training for the games. 1Corinthianus 9:23 Everyone who competes in the games go into strict training . They do it to win a crown that will not last, but we do it to gain a crown that will last forever.
Why are we so willing to work and labor for things that won’t last, but when God allows us to go through tough times in order to help us grow and mature in the faith, then we complain? The pain we put ourselves through is for temporary gain, but the work that Jesus does in our lives is eternal!! Jesus himself went through pain that is unimaginable for our sake, so that we could have eternal life! Is there a bigger prize than that? It’s important for us to go through painful times to grow and mature, so that we can pave the way for those who come behind us and also to be a witness to those around us. How we react to trials is like the gauge that measures our maturity in our faith in Christ. When we complain, the gauge is reading on the low side, but when we have joy, even in our suffering, the gauge is reading high!! Where’s your gauge reading? Mine has a ways to go to read high maturity!!
Dear Father, help us to find our hope and joy in you and not our circumstances! Help us to see our pain for what it is. A spiritual workout with eternal results!! Thank you for the trials that will bring a crown that lasts forever!!
Have a blessed day
Speaking truth in kindness 