Saturday (9/13/2014)

Thought for the Day:

We often struggle and wonder why God would allow this to happen to us when bad things happen.  We question whether God loves us, whether He is able to intervene, and whether He even exists.  We assume that all difficulties would be better if we avoided them; but that is not entirely true.  There may be a higher purpose or a greater goal that will be achieved by allowing us to go through times of trial and testing.  It is rarely pleasant; but it can be profitable. 

“Overprotective parents do their children a great injustice. The caterpillar that lies inside the cocoon will never become the beautiful butterfly if someone cuts open the cocoon prematurely. It is the struggle itself that allows the butterfly to emerge as a strong, new creature of nature.  God understands how necessary this process is. That is why we are allowed to experience difficult, often life-changing events. He even orchestrates them-all for our benefit.” [Os Hillman, TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1, September 13, 2014].

Just think about why people go to a gym to work out.  They purposefully strain their muscles, fighting against gravity, lethargy, and old age, in order to strengthen themselves.  It is the process of exercising that is beneficial.  All the sweat and energy that goes into the process of developing great strength and stamina and the ability to stand up under a greater load.  That’s why I’ve started going to Gold’s Gym.  I’ve been working out at home and it’s been beneficial; but now I am ready to work a bit harder and the equipment at the Gold’s Gym helps me do that.

Life is God’s Gym.  The difficulties and trials that you face are the equipment He uses.  As your trainer, God allows you to experience certain events with the purpose of having you grow, mature, and develop.  That knowledge doesn’t make it easier to take; but it does help give you motivation and hope that once you are through a situation you’ll be a better person for it.

Over the past year, I’ve hit a few bumps in the road.  Some of the hazards that I’ve gone through were pretty deep potholes that could have wrecked my life and stopped my journey.  But I’ve made it through and I believe I am a better person today because of what I’ve encountered along the way. 

You might have had an even more extreme year than I have had.  Maybe you are still going through your difficulties.  Maybe yours aren’t going away.  The road you face may be tougher than the one I have faced; but the principle is the same.  Look at life as God’s Gym and realize that His purpose for allowing these events in your life is for your benefit.  Face them with determination and courage. 

At the gym sometimes someone stands by to spot you when you are lifting a heavy weight.  They reach in and give a little assistance whenever it is necessary because you can’t lift the load all by yourself.  Remember that God is there to spot you.  He won’t take the load off of you—He’ll allow you to strain and attempt to push through it; but in the end He will give you the help you need to make the lift.  If the load you are currently bearing is too heavy for you; call out and ask for His assistance but don’t expect Him to take the entire load off of your shoulders.

Workout routines often vary between light and heavy days.  Some days it is more repetitions of a lighter weight and other days it is only a few lifts of heavier weight.  The heavy days are designed to get your muscles to fail because that is when you increase strength.  So if it seems that the burdens that you face are too great to bear, just remember that God, your trainer, has planned a heavy workout for you.  The burden needs to be great if you are going to benefit from it.  Some days are harder than others—expect that.  Don’t become discouraged and quit.  Dig a little deeper and give it all you’ve got.  Think long term and look for the big picture.  Remember that you aren’t alone.  Call out for the help you need and then trust the trainer.