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Trust the Trainer
This week's focus: Transformation
While at the gym recently, I overheard the person next to me complain about how difficult the workout was. Drenched in sweat and hurting along with him, I had to remind him that comfort is not the goal when we desire transformation—if the training didn't challenge us, it wouldn't change us.
We all know that the best workouts are the hardest ones when we are at the gym, but for some reason, we don't apply the same principle to life. If we did, we wouldn't get so discouraged when the troubles of this world find us. After my workout that day, I walked straight into a rough week drenched in pain-producing problems. Life's challenges made me forget my previously confident advice, and I complained and cried over the temporary pain I was experiencing. Then God's word reminded me that I was still in training when I read Romans 5:3-5,
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Endurance, character, and hope are the rewards given to those who don't shrink back, complain, or quit. All three traits are beneficial, but the greatest gift is the intimacy with Christ attained on the other side of suffering. Paul says it best in Philippians 3:10 when we read, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings..." Paul was no stranger to tribulation, but instead of focusing on the moment, he looked ahead to the outcome and rejoiced in the nearness of God.
In this world, we will have one problem after another, but the goal of this life isn't comfort because we aren't home. The goal is to be transformed more and more into the image of Christ. As Christians, we live in highly challenging times that give us plenty of opportunities for transformation. We can rejoice when we find ourselves experiencing difficulties because God is still "taking us to the gym" to transform us for eternity.
Our part is to show up and trust the Trainer.
by: Jennifer McAlister for My Faith Votes
Romans 5:3-5
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Prayer Points:
Pray: Heavenly Father, We praise You for Your love and patience toward us. Thank you for working on Your children, training us to trust Your plan, and preparing us for an eternity with You.
Think: “He's still working on me, to make me what I need to be, it took him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be, 'Cause He's still workin' on me.” – The Hemphills
Act: One of the best ways to rejoice when we don’t feel like it, is by hiding God’s word in our hearts. Consider memorizing verses that will strengthen our faith.
We want to see God honored in America, and we pray for an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
This devotion was produced in partnership with Every Home for Christ.
This ministry is made possible by the generous support of friends like you.