Happy Tuesday

No Pain, No Gain

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. - James 1:2-4

I have a friend who says that physical conditioning is simply a matter of how much pain you're willing to endure. And I believe it. But all those people who voluntarily exercise and abstain from hot fudge sundaes are convinced that their ultimate gain is worth their present pain.

I wonder if we have that same attitude toward our life of daily discipleship. Are we willing to endure pain when it comes to growing in our lives as Christians? In Romans 5:2, the apostle Paul wrote, "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." But he doesn't stop there. Notice the next words: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." The hope spoken of in Romans 5 is much more than keeping our fingers crossed and wishing for the best. It's a confident, joyful expectation.

While all of us want this God-given hope, very few of us get excited about the process by which it is produced. There is a definite progression here: suffering, when taken in the right spirit, will produce patient endurance. Over a period of time this persistent obedience to God produces character. And out of integrity of spirit emerges hope.

We can't skip over any part of the process. One of the clearest teachings in the New Testament is that God wants His children to grow up to be strong disciples and not remain spiritual babies. He wants us to be mature, godly people with staying power in our walk with Him.

Prayer
Lord, as You shape me into a fit vessel for Your use, help me to realize that the pressure You put on me will make me strong. Amen.

When a clay pot emerges from the fire, it has beauty, strength, and color not possible without the heat.

Daily Smile:

A man at the airline counter tells the rep. “I’d like this bag to go to Berlin, this one to California, and this one to London.

The rep says, “I’m sorry sir. We can’t do that.”

The man replied: Nonsense. That is what you did last time I flew with you.