Trust the Coach.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] 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)
I’ll be the first to admit that working out has never been something I yearn to do. I’m one of those people who cannot be trusted to just go to my neighborhood gym with nothing but some music and my own creativity. I know I will never push myself as hard as I need to in order to see the results I need. This is why I participate in a gym that is structured with plenty of accountability and progress monitoring. There is a coach who knows me by name; who calls me out when I slow down before time is up; who ultimately pushes me to my actual limit instead of the one I have set for myself. It is with a coach that I actually begin to see results.
As it is in the natural, so it is in the spirit. Imagine that God is our coach, and the trials of life are our proverbial gym. I wonder if, as humans, we think we know our own limits and resist the pressures that would produce the strength and character necessary to develop into who we were called to be. I believe we attribute too many pressures to the devil instead of acknowledging that God, our coach, is wisely orchestrating our lives in a way that brings about true growth instead of comfort.
Just as a physical trainer knows not to add too much weight before your muscles can withstand it, how much more does our Heavenly Father know our true limits? Our job, then, is not to complain and rebuke every pressure, but to “count it all joy when [we] face various trials, knowing that the testing of [our] faith produces patience. (James 1:2-3).” This requires faith. Faith says that “this season is pressing me on all sides, but I know that God has already ordered my steps and determined that it will all work for my good.” In this season, how can you be more intentional about trusting God with even the discomfort of stretching?
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for being sovereign. Thank you for reminding me that your thoughts are not my thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. Thank you for reminding me that even though it does not always feel good, You allow pressures to make me strong enough for where You want to take me. I release my need to have all the answers before I trust You. Help me to trust Your wisdom and Your plan. I love You more than comfort. Amen
