I have recently started to get back into running. Granted, it has been a slow process. My first couple of runs have been eye opening. I've realized my 40 year old body isn't operating like my 30 year old body did. Go figure. I have had to learn that I am going to have to put up with a degree of pain while I am jogging to get to where I want to be physically. It starts with being a little bit out of breath. Then I have to adjust my breathing patterns a little bit. Then there are times when I can feel a cramp in my side coming on. I have to push through that to keep going. There are a variety of aches and pains that I experience along the way. I have found that the key to pushing through all of that is to find an amount of joy in the journey. It doesn't mean that I really enjoy the pain. That would make me...a sicko! Instead I find things about the run (the scenery, the end result, the overall experience) that I can find joy in.
In the Book of James chapter 1 verse 2, James (the half brother of Jesus), writes that we need to "consider it all joy...when you encounter trials". I don't think he wants us to find actually pleasure in the pain we are going through. For instance, if you hear that someone you love has been admitted to the ER, you don't want to be the guy that says "Yippee!!!! How awesome is that?" Because God also says we need to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). I think he is saying, the joy we should find in it is that it will produce character in us and change us more into the likeness of Christ. We should not be happy that bad stuff is happening to us or others but take confidence in the fact that God is doing something in us and through it.
The question is, "What is He doing in us through the bad stuff?" He is producing endurance. Now I want to be careful here because sometimes we can get pretty self centered here. Like "The only reason God made that (whatever the trial is) happen is to produce that inside of me?" The Bible is clear that God is mysterious and that He does as He pleases. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to guess God's motives for things. Just know, that a by product of trials and suffering is endurance (v3). The more you trust God with your circumstances, the more you will develop endurance in life. You won't get there by blaming God or saying "I tried this Christianity thing, and it doesn't work." That's not perseverance. Perseverance is trusting God enough to say "despite my circumstances and despite other people, I will keep trusting You."
If you live like that, if that is your default, the end result is "perfection" (v4). Not that you will be perfect in this life but you will stand strong until you make it to heaven where you will be perfect (v12). Along the way, if you need wisdom in navigating that or knowing how to persevere, you can ask God for help (v5-6). Ask Him for wisdom. When you ask for it, know that God will give it to you. It may not be what you want to hear or the result you wanted but that is a part of trusting God with the outcome.
What bad stuff are you facing this week? What has come your way that is unexpected and excruciatingly difficult? Whatever it is, know that there is the opportunity for joy amidst the angst and worry of facing tough decisions. Know that by trusting God through it, your faith will be stronger and you will persevere.
