When people become comatose, one of the many concerns is to keep their muscles from degenerating. Atrophy sets in quickly when there is no movement. On the other hand, most exercise trainers will tell you that muscle grows after it has been under stress. Strenuous exercise makes small tears in the muscle tissue. As it heals, the muscle grows stronger or larger than it was before the ordeal. Some pain is necessary for our bodies to retain vigor.
The apostle James spoke of the need for enduring hardship and pain so that we will grow “perfect and complete” (James 1:4). God intends for us to grow into whole (“complete”) people, healed of our sorrows and our brokenness. To get there, however, we’ll encounter difficulty. The path to healing requires patience and grace.
This is why James wrote, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2). We shouldn’t mistake this for a trite dismissal of the dark places of our life—as if we shouldn’t feel despair or grief. James doesn’t discount the evil done to us or forget the sorrow that grips us. Rather, his confident words declare that evil and sorrow, even with their vicious power, do not win in the end.
James could make this bold declaration because he knew that “when faith is tested, [our] endurance has a chance to grow” (James 1:3). Each of us must face fundamental questions: Who are we really? What do we truly believe? What will we live for? How will we love?
In times of struggle, we can experience God’s grace emboldening our faith. This paves the way for joy found in the realization that we’ve been set free from the terrors of this world.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 12:22-50
More:
Read Romans 5:1-5. How does Paul describe the seasons when we experience trials and hardship? How does Paul describe the fruit of these experiences?
Next:
Where is your endurance and your faith being tested right now? Ask God to embolden your vision for—and your faith in—the assurance that He will ultimately give you real joy.
Gary Shultz on July 8, 2014 at 7:43 am
Do we not love our comfort? We don’t like the exercise of life. We often won’t allow life’s stresses to gain God’s comfort; for our strength and His glory.
alli on July 8, 2014 at 8:22 am
This is extraordinarily helpful. As one who takes things rather personally, sometimes its difficult to know if obsticles are there to make you grow or a sign of Gods displeasure and resistance.i would usually lean towards the latter. Not understandinng Gods character. If this is tru it makes God seem like less of a tyrant and more a loving coach who sees what we need to be better.
Winn Collier on July 8, 2014 at 1:44 pm
The Gospel reading at our church on Sunday reminded us that God is “humble and gentle” (Matthew 11:25-30) I think that changes how we look at these things.
antonio0912 on July 8, 2014 at 11:34 pm
It is very true that When troubles come, we consider it as an opportunity, when faith is tested consider it as a chance to grow and when endurance is developed, we will be mature and complete.
There is no short cut to be mature in Christ, but the “good pain” is worth the fruits.
thankyou for the today reflection
hisjoy on July 9, 2014 at 2:53 am
Thank you for this message. It has helped put into perspective why we must endure pain while on thie earth
God’s will for us is indeed to grow us more into Christ’s character.