Jam 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds

Running is fun, and with it, comes much reward. However, you know good and well if you are a veteran runner, that there is also pain. The pain is not always excruciating, yet, it is present. I realize after running for about 17 years now that I usually have an aching muscle, bone, tendon, or ligament at any given time on any given day. Part of running consistently and training to make yourself better is having pain. If we did not have pain, we would not become better runners, or we may not be working hard enough physically.. As for me, I always have some little ache somewhere. I know from older, more experienced runners that you are going to have to deal with the pains if you want to gain endurance, speed, or shape.

In life, the Bible tells us that we will face hardship. If we do not face trials, we must not be experiencing all that Jesus wants us to experience. He never promised us that life as a Christian would be easy. Part of knowing Jesus more is knowing some of the suffering that He went through while He lived on the earth. In order to know Him, we must experience some sort of pain. We may have emotional pain, financial pain, relational pain, persecution, or even physical pain. One day, we will have no more pain, but let’s endure it and take in the joy that comes with it! Christian, do not be surprised by the pain. If you are not a Christian, pain is much easier with Jesus in your life.