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. James 1:2-3
In a nearby town there is a facility that is geared toward building stronger, faster, more resilient athletes, safely. It is called Gritworks Athletics. The reason I know about this place is because for a time they paid to have their FB ads show up on my feed. They are geared toward helping young athletes learn to develop safe movement, speed, agility to help them achieve growth in their preferred sport. Watching their ads to see the enrollees, young students are definitely being challenged to dig deep. You can tell from their faces they are having to dig deep to keep working out. I’ve also watched a documentary on how a Navy Seal is challenged and developed. It takes grit.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, grit in the context of behavior is defined as “firmness of character; indomitable spirit.” Observing many western believers, I think we struggle in this arena. It is so easy to think “it is too hard”, I can’t do it. This past week end I had the privilege of taking a couple of ferries and enjoying Victoria, B. C. Canada. I went with my friend, Mary Smith and though it was a short visit, we met with some challenges… Mary found us a very nice affordable hotel, but it was supposed to be about an hours walk from where we go off the boat. I admit, I had asked AI if this walk was doable, but the reply was “not recommended” if you have luggage. I thought, I can walk an hour!
We started strong. It was warm and a bit humid for this area, but it was exciting and fun to explore. My problem, which became Mary’s, unfortunately, my heart rate kept getting too high and I would have to stop and rest. She was such a good friend, and kept asking how I was doing. It took us over two hours (with all my rest stops!), but we made it. As we were walking along, I found myself declaring, “this is hard, but I can do hard things”. It began to change my perspective. I also added singing some out of date chorus’s to encourage me. I kept checking my body and the only problem my fit bit told me I was having as a raised heartbeat, so as I rested, it came back down. No other symptoms, so I knew I could keep going.
My friends, we walked the 4.6 km it seemed like it took forever with the heat and humidity, but I realized some of our challenges don’t have an “end destination” or “end date” and we just have to keep walking. If your current emotional, spiritual or financial challenges seem like this–take breaks, rest, revive yourself but don’t give up. Mary and I stopped and prayed a lot along the way. We turned out negative thoughts to positive. We encouraged each other and we made it. There were some definite inclines to our journey and those were hard. I found “resting” places and even discovered my rolling bag’s tall handle was helpful in rising from various retaining walls. We passed through some skanky places with poor folks nodding off. We prayed for them as we carefully passed by.
If you are in a challenging valley remember you are not alone. I met someone at the hospital this morning. Her husband had taken too many pills, and though she was a woman “of faith”, she did not have a local church family to help encourage and pray with her. She gladly let me pray for her and her sister in law. I was there to support one of church family, and they saw first hand that blessing. God is with you. I received a message from my friend, Mary, in India. They are facing another strong bout of persecution–this type of trial is so difficult. They can be arrested simply for sharing the gospel. How do you go through those types of trials and testing? By trusting, praying, resting in Him knowing the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect, and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:3-4. God is working good things in our lives through the testing and trials, my friends do not quit. Do not stop walking in obedience. …we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5. NIV. Oh dear friends, my little walk that day was nothing compared to those who have suffered and are suffering for Christ’s sake. God build grit (perseverance) in each of us differently. But it is His will that we have an abundance of it, so we don’t quit. So we can bring the light of His love, faithfulness to others. He wants to turn your ‘hardships’ into your testimony, but He can’t if you quit before the fruit is born.
Keep walking through the fire, the flood, the plains and the mountains…He is with us. I need you to keep walking and so does the rest of the body of Christ. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, the flames shall not consume you. Isaiah 43.2
Father, teach us to keep to keep going, we love you and trust you will teach us how to walk this life out strong for your glory. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 