Running the Race with Joy

Two people can run in the same race. They both feel tired, feel the screaming muscles, feel stressed, want to give up and quit. But one of them pushes through the feelings, and the pain and stress, and wins the race. What's the difference? The winning runner is the one who endures to the end and crosses the finish line.

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 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."

Now does this passage mean that James thinks we should be bouncing around and happy because we are struggling? Not at all. He doesn't say that the trial is joy. No one would ever think that! But he says to consider it as a blessing because the trial is capable of being turned into our highest good. The difference is our attitude.

I do believe that joy and grief can exist together. We are grieved because trials are hard and stressful. But we can be joyful because as we mature and grow in our spiritual walk, we also see how God can use those hard things for our good. Being obedient in our attitude is the very thing that causes our spiritual maturity.

When we face trials in this way we begin to develop endurance. The Greek word used here is hupomone which is an active tense meaning to literally remain under. As we remain under the trial or struggle instead of fighting kicking and screaming against it, we begin to develop endurance which leads to spiritual maturity.

Now we can still be a believer in Jesus Christ and yet, be miserable. We don't have to be joyful in our struggles. It doesn't affect our salvation. But I can assure you, a miserable believer is not a very mature one. 

Our maturity comes in our attitude during the trials. Endurance or "remaining under" is what leads to the complete work of God in our lives. And while the trial is not something we wish for, as we change our attitude about it, it can be used for our good.

As you go through your week begin to reflect on some of the positive things at work in you because of the hard times you may be facing. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you insight into this so that you can begin to view these things through God's eyes.

Let's run our race well. Let's run it with endurance Let's run it with joy.