Trail and Trials

Trail and Trials

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything,”

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬, NIV‬‬.

I hated running wind sprints! These are quick, give it all you got, running disciplines designed to strengthen muscles that don’t usually get worked out for long distance runners. I was a long-distance runner. Give me a few miles on a trail—find my pace—happy.

But wind sprints trained and taught me how to finish the race well. With a quick sprint to the finish line, I actually shaved time off of my race. I would have wind sprint practices twice a week, due to the fact that if one rests a muscle for more than four days one loses muscle mass.

As I read James, I compare my trails with James’ trials. And it dawned on me that if I go through a period without having my spiritual muscles stretched, I lose their strength. What does losing spiritual strength look like? For me it’s a slipping back into self-righteousness, self-reliance, and selfish ambition, which I do not want to return to. That’s where my weakened spiritual muscles default to.

Trials keep me humble, focused on what’s important and give me strength to move in the right direction. Do I “enjoy” them? No. But as my son says, “I don’t like working out, but I do enjoy the benefits.”

I wholeheartedly agree with this—I enjoy the benefits when the trial is over. What I need to learn is how to experience joy through the trials themselves. I’m learning but it takes so much time and effort. Thank goodness God gives me days of practice mixed with days of rest. One of these days I’m sure I’ll experience “joy”—for He has told us it’s possible.

How about you? How do you face your trials? Do you bring the blankets over your head and hide? Do you revert to—“It’s my life, my will! If God really loved me He’d never make me go through this!”

Or do you sigh, and realize God indeed loves you—helping you?

Father,

You know my heart and You never fail to keep it strong. When I slip into a lazy attitude/position/posture—You send me something that once again has me on my knees. Thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You for training me in righteousness. Thank You for running with me. For You have said over and over again— “I will never leave you.” Hebrews 13:5.

Please be with all those who read and make this their prayer—Amen.

We love You. I love You and forgive me for liking my couch more than my knees. Continue to train all of us—so that we will continue to persevere for Your glory. We desire Your way, not our own. Teach us how to have joy through these trials.

Amen.