James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
I saw this funny post on Facebook the other day that spoke about gym membership. It said, I joined the gym over a month ago with no results. So, I’m going down there Monday to see what’s really going on. I don’t know about you, but that sounds just like me. I paid for the membership, brought a few nice outfits, checked out the facility, learned all the rule, but failed to return and do the workouts! Then had the nerve to wonder why I’m not in shape. Lol
As we all know, getting in shape doesn’t work like that. Rule number one of working out is: No Pain, No Gain. Period.
Well, the same can be said of of our spiritual development. We don’t magically become spiritual giants without persevering and going through something. Becoming all that God would have us become is hard work. It’s attainable; but demands a selfless work ethic that transcends the normal mindset. It takes developing the mindset of Christ.
I say that because generally speaking, most of us spend our time trying to avoid painful and difficult situations. Am I right? That’s why the gym membership post resonates with so many of us. We desperately need to get in shape. We want the muscles. We long for small, defined abs. We’d love to be able to run for miles. But, all that takes incredible time, devotion, patience and pain. A whole lot of pain. And pain is exactly what we are trying to avoid.
So we try shortcuts, potions and lotions to circumvent working out and dealing with the pain. But let’s face it, nothing takes the place of honest hard work. And sadly, we do the same thing spiritually. We try to pray, and fast. We try to claim victory and speak away things that God has sent to make us strong. Sorry. There are no shortcuts in Kingdom calisthenics either. To the extent we want power, a certain amount of pain is associated with it.
James offers us a very interesting perspective on trials and tribulations when he asks us to ‘count if all joy’. It’s one thing to endure pain because you have to, but quite another to actually get to the point where you enjoy it. But that’s just what James is saying.
Let’s explore this. Using our gym analogy, I think we can agree that on the other side of pain is the perfection we’ve been seeking in the first place. In other words, a bodybuilder must endure the pain of lifting if he’s ever going to develop the physique that he envisioned was possible before he ever started. A runner may start out only able to endure a few yards without extreme pain and stress. But after continuous struggle and dogged determination, she can run miles without so much as thinking about it. Without the pain there’s no physique. Without the pain there’s no miles. So after a while, the pain is no longer painful, but a joyful experience because of what it’s developing in the athletes.
So if the bodybuilder can enjoy the pain of lifting, and the runner can appreciate the agony of pushing herself to the limit, then the child of God certainly can embrace these momentary trials.
The very thought that God somehow has abandoned us when we go through lives’ struggles belies the fact that our preparation and development is not for this present time alone. We are developing an everlasting persona. Our development now has eternal consequences.
James remarks in the 12th verse, God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Dear Children of God, let’s not lose sight of the great calling, mission, election and commission of God in our lives. We are specifically called to battle and defeat the forces of darkness. We must be strong. We must be brave. We will triumph. But first, we must remember, NO PAIN, NO GAIN.
God Bless
