Trial Run

Lately I have taken up running. I want to be perfectly clear that I'm not a "runner". There are some people that love to run, that crave it. I can run though. I have 2 legs that work and the lung capacity of a cheetah but for me running was usually reserved for when I'm either chasing something or being chased by something. However, running has taught me a lot about trials and suffering over the last few months. Here are some quick thoughts.

Trials are painful: When I started running a few months ago I ran 2 miles and thought my legs were going to implode but the pain was necessary for growth. 1 Peter 4:12 says, "Do not be surprised by the painful trial you are suffering, as thought something strange were happening to you." For Peter, pain and trials were connected.

Trials are necessary for growth: This last week I went on 7 and 8.5 mile runs. Those runs wouldn't have been possible without all of the pain and suffering leading up to them. Trials are horrible in the moment. During times of trial I have felt helpless and abandoned, lonely and tired but as Paul says, "We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope; and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into your hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us." (Romans 5:3)

For some reason God chooses to use trials to shape us and build our character. I don't know why that is. I don't believe God takes joy in my pain. It seems out of God's character for him to be that cruel. Maybe the author William Newell was on to something when he wrote: "God is infinite; and there are things of God, and in God that only suffering gives the capacity to know."

I guess that's the point. Trials don't have to be enjoyable and fun. The important thing is that we learn what God wants us to learn, grow from them and move on. If you are in the middle of a trial remember that all trials end someday and that through it all Jesus says, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

Take A STEP Forward

Have you ever noticed that there are certain times when temptation is worse than others? Maybe it is as simple as eating foods you know you shouldn't eat or as complicated as a drug addiction. What if I were to tell you there is a formula that makes you more susceptible to temptation? This formula doesn't apply to every situation and I could definitely add more to it a so could you, but I think it is a good place to start. The formula is HALT. Here is what I mean:

H- Hungry

A- Angry

L- Lonely

T- Tired

When we are hungry, angry, lonely or tired we are more susceptible to temptation. It was profound when I realized there were times when I was more easily tempted. Knowing how easily I can be tempted made me come up with a solution. It is called STEP.

S- Scripture

T- Teachable

E- Encouragement

P- Prayer

Scripture- Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Memorizing Scripture is key. It is a practice that can't be stressed enough and also something I am really convicted of. In Luke 4:1-12 Jesus is in the wilderness being tempted by Satan and he quotes scripture 3 times to ward off the temptation.

Teachable- Luke 2:52 says, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men". Jesus was God, but he also had a human component that needed to grow and learn just like we do. From an early age Jesus was teachable.

Encouragement- Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of 3 strands is not easily broken. It is important to have people around you that you can text or call when you are bing tempted.

Pray- Luke 22:40 says, "...Pray that you will not fall into temptation" and Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." I would be willing to bet that God doesn't want us to fall into temptation and if we pray for his help we will receive it.

Here's the deal: Satan wants to HALT our spiritual growth but Jesus wants us to STEP forward.