I started a new exercise program last week. It’s called Insanity and now I know why … it is insane! I’m sore in places I never knew existed, which serves me right since I’ve pretty much been taking an “exercise vacation” since running my half-marathon last October.
Yes, it’s true. Me and exercise … we have a love hate relationship.
I use her to get what I want in the short-term and then leave her in the dust like a spinning truck down a Texas dirt lane. And when I finally seek to be reunited, she always gets me back for the rough break-up we had–requiring endless effort before she delivers the results I desire.
And if I’m not careful … if I don’t stay focused on the results instead of the pain, I’ll quit every time.
The work of the now brings the results of the future. [Tweet that]
And few things are worth having, without a significant amount of sacrifice, pain, and perseverance.
This is true of our character too, not just our physical bodies. Without pain or adversity, our character seldom grows. Without difficulties, we rarely develop and mature completely.
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)
But just like me with exercise, we don’t like suffering.
We long to be alleviated from our struggles. And often we pray and ask God to take them away.
I know I have.
I’ve been guilty of praying for immediate relief. Praying my life would be more easy and comfortable.
For the consequences of my divorce to go away.
For my relationship to be mended.
For less struggle with my finances.
Even Paul pleaded for God to take his suffering away. But it wasn’t God’s plan.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV)
God is the giver of all things. ALL things.
And while prayers for relief aren’t wrong, they’re immature–an indication of our failure to understand the Sovereign ways of God.
He wills the consequences of my choices.
He knew my relationship would be broken.
He provided limited finances for a reason.
God is Sovereign and in complete control, and nothing is an accident with Him.
So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? Romans 9:18-21 (ESV)
If I am sick it is from Him.
If I’m blind it is from Him.
If I’m born in extreme poverty it is from Him.
Everything is from Him.
Could it be, instead, He wants to accomplish something in us, through the circumstances He’s given?
We need a perspective shift–a changed view.
Surrendered hearts to His way.
Perhaps in light of the Sovereignty of God, prayer is more for our hearts than for His. Less an activity to beg Him to swoop in and rescue us, and more an experience of personal surrender and heart transformation.
For us to experience that His grace is enough, and for His power to be made perfect in our weakness.
Prayer is more for our heart transformation than for a transaction–for our character to be built rather than our circumstances destroyed. [Tweet that]
Because one of the main goals in this life is to become more and more like Jesus.
And it is adversity and pain that most often bring about transformation.
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. Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
God is in complete control, and make no mistake, He loves us so deeply.
He is giving us situations to grow our character and to increase our endurance, that we might become more and more like Him. [Tweet that]
So as I wrestle through the soreness of this Insanity routine, showing up each day to exercise and grow my muscles stronger through the pain, may I also surrender to whatever trials and adversity God gives.
May we embrace our suffering.
Knowing He suffered too, and understands.
Knowing He has a purpose in it all.
Knowing His grace is enough,
And His power is made perfect in our weakness.
May we trust Him and find joy in our trials, leaning on His grace and boasting of His power.
And as we are changed, may He restore, confirm , strengthen, and establish us, that He may be glorified in us.
May we suffer well.
What are you struggling through lately?
How have you been changed by suffering?
**Linking with Jennifer Dukes Lee #TellHisStory
This: Could it be, instead, He wants to accomplish something in us, through the circumstances He’s given? That one hurt a bit (lol), but so what I need to remember! Thank you, Jacque, for pointing to the Truth. Stopping by from #TellHisStory
Love these thoughts. I’ve experienced the truth of your words and the Word when I wrestled with postpartum depression. Never a darker road…never a brighter dawn.
Suffering well…suffering on purpose. Knowing that His purpose in all the struggles of all our days is to teach us to love well. LOVELY post. Thanks! Visiting from Tell His Story…
This is beautifully rich, Jacque. I shall ponder many a word here. Thank you for comparing physical suffering with the Truth of God’s Word as we suffer in many ways, and are blessed in many ways.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Yes, I can relate to that sting…the work He’s doing stretching and challenging us as we grow. So thankful you stopped by Amanda!
I love that Mindy…only with Him, only with Him. xo
And isn’t it a lifelong journey of learning. Thank you so much Sheila!
Thank you LInda…all of it a gift depending on how we SEE. We are indeed blessed! Much love to you…
Jacque, this is rich and hard truth right here. So much to mull over and embrace. And yet, I confess I find myself pushing back a little with one thing – call it a disagreement, or perhaps, I’m just not sure yet what I believe – I don’t know if I believe everything in our lives is from God. I think there are things, particularly with suffering and poverty and sickness, that are allowed and God’s grace works through them, more than they are directly from him. Maybe that’s a gray area I’m dancing around, but I just couldn’t look an impoverished person in the face and tell them this is from God, or that person dying of cancer…
But all that to say, I really don’t know. And I think what you point to here is beautiful, as is your heart. Suffering is one of the hardest topics to wrap our minds and hearts around, and you embrace it here with courage.
Oh Amber, you are so right…this IS such a difficult topic, and I thank you for the grace and kindness of your response. And I can relate to you, because this is something I have wrestled through so very much–torn to embrace God allowing suffering or giving it. It is not easy. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for reading my words and writing your heart here. I certainly don’t know all the answers, but I do know after much searching and wrestling, while it is a challenge to consider God purposely giving suffering, it is what I’ve come to believe is true. True about the character of our God…a God who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and purposeful with His plan for our lives, whether I ever completely understand His ways or not. He is God. And He is in control. Thank you for sharing here and for seeing the intention of my heart. It means more to me than you know. With much love to you Amber…xo
This speaks right to me (and even the exercise part as I try desperately NOT have to buy a new pair of pants for She Speaks next wk – ha!). I’ve wrestled with so much of it. And it’s just been incredible to watch all the ways He redeems. “May we embrace our suffering.” Oh, yes.
Oh yes…Oh how He redeems. Thank you for your beautiful encouragement!