Before we run or after we run, we have to stretch our muscles a bit. Not doing so will more likely cause unnecessary injuries.Now, if you have ever stretched your muscles you know it is painful at times, the more muscle you build, the painful the stretching is.
I have experienced that in our spiritual life this is kind of the same, the stronger we grow in Christ the painful the stretching becomes. I believe that when we are spiritually stretched, we become more flexible and will keep our heart fit to continue running the good race. But I guess this is the part we do not like at all and I have not found a way around it. We build stronger muscles and the stretching is painful. So, we grow stronger in our faith and the stretching(trials) becomes painful too, no way around it. To avoid the painful stretching we stop running; we stop growing. When we stop growing, the muscles become mushy; we quit running all together and we are no longer in the race. We lose discipline and focus. But, you are not a quitter, I know that, good for you, keep running!Peter must have experienced this too, at least that is what I get when I read this verse:
If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12)
What do you think?
