READ
REFLECT
We’ve all heard the saying, “No pain, no gain.” Competitors are familiar with experiencing pain during workouts, which can sometimes indicate that they are pushing themselves to the limit. Burn, fatigue, and discomfort are common.
As Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers of all time, recognized, pain can be challenging, but it’s important to persevere and not give up to achieve greatness. “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion,'” he famously said.
Enduring the struggle and discomfort that come with athletic competition is all part of the journey towards achieving excellence, and it is a testament to an individual’s dedication and commitment to their sport.
While pain during exercise is generally typical, spiritual pain is a different animal. This type of pain can lead to deep sorrow. But 2 Corinthians 7:10 shows us how this sorrow isn’t all bad and can point us heavenward. The Scripture says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
Through His sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus has made it possible for us to have hope in our pain.
He offers us the gift of freedom from the weight of our pain and assures us that we can find strength and healing in Him. As stated in 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
As believers, we can take comfort in the fact that He is with us in our struggles. As the Bible states, the Lord will comfort us through all of our troubles. This does not mean that we won’t experience hardship, but it does mean that we can trust God to help us bear those difficulties. This is His promise to us as His followers, and it is a source of strength when we are suffering or in pain.
RESPOND
1. Commit Corinthians 2 7:10 to memory.
