Day 2 - Week 65 - James 1:3-4 "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing."

Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance....

I love the way Robert J. Morgan explains this phrase:

The term "testing" is akin to the idea of exercise.  If faith never goes to the gym, it becomes flabby.  As we encounter trials, our faith is put to the test, exercised, put thought its paces.  As our faith develops muscles, we become people of greater stamina and inner strength.  That gives us maturity and proven character.

Morgan's explanation reminds me of Pauls' words in 1 Timothy... "Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next." 

So now I'm thinking of exercising...you know how good it feels when you're finished?  (I think I remember how that feels!)  And you know how you get excited about starting an exercise program because you know you will feel better because of it?  I think that's how we should feel when we are facing trials...rather than focusing on the temporary pain, we look forward to the eternal gain.  We know that there is purpose in the pain, we are becoming stronger in our faith and in our understanding of God's plan for our life....our earthly life and our eternal one!

Run the race, start out slow, but run.  Build your strength, and before you know it you will be soaring like an eagle!

Isaiah 40:31  But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.