“If little labour, little are our gains:
Man’s fortunes are according to his pains.”
-Robert Herrick
I’ve recently started a new workout routine… Rather, I’ve recently started a workout routine. I enthusiastically started it like a kid going to school on the first day. I got all dressed up in my workout stuff, I had my towel and my bottle of Pure Life water. I was ready. I was focused. Nothing could stop me now – I hit play on the DVD.
Wow.
After about 30 minutes of jumping, squatting, panting, crying and stumbling, I hit stop on the DVD. For the rest of the week, my legs have been rendered useless. Inoperable, in a surprisingly complete way. Walking across the room takes careful planning and minutes of mental coaching. The aches are intense, and I would just decide to quit if I didn’t know that on the other side of this pain is growth.
“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness … Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:2-3,12 RSV)
In these crazy times, we can often find ourselves with an emotional leg ache. Getting up and going to work often takes more than one time around on the Snooze button. Financial & health worries can be enough to make you pull the covers over your head in the morning. But know this — on the other side of all the pain and frustration, I’ve found personally, is real growth. In the times when I’ve had to lean on God for everything, I can say that I came out with a much stronger faith than I ever had before.
So when you’re going through those times, keep going! There’s something great on the other end!
I’ll keep pushing play on the DVD.
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