In the early 80s, the VCR, leg warmers, and spandex combined to give America a fresh way to get in shape—the aerobics videotape. In the privacy of your own living room, you could stretch, tone, and ‘slenderize’ by following the dance exercises on your TV. One guru of the aerobics movement was Joan Fonda, and her favorite workout encouragement was, “No pain, no gain!” Housewives everywhere were inspired and rejoiced. But that idea didn’t start with her…
No pain, no gain is a phrase that’s often used in endeavors like athletics, military training, or physical labor. But you have probably learned that it ends up applying in a lot of your life experiences. Like when you were halfway through your undergrad program and didn’t know if you’d make it to graduation. As a newlywed, when your marriage hit a rough patch and you wondered if it would last. Or maybe when you started a business or tried a new profession, and it imploded, and you wondered what you would do next. If you gave up in the middle of those experiences, you probably ended up going through them again later. But if you stuck it out, if you learned and grew from those experiences, you found out that the pain did indeed lead to gain.
If you could caption a passage in the Bible with the heading, “No Pain, No Gain,” it would probably be the first few verses of the book of James in the New Testament. James was one of the key leaders of the early Christian church and had the unique distinction of being the half-brother of Jesus (same mom, different dads). James wrote a letter to Jewish Christians who were scattered all over the world. They were scattered because they were being persecuted for their faith. So they understood pain, suffering, and difficulty. Here’s how James encouraged them:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2)
What?! James says that when you face trials you should consider that pure joy? Why would he say that? James gives his reasoning in the verses that follow:
“… because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:3-4)
Way before Jane Fonda blurted it out while using a ThighMaster, James encouraged these persecuted Christians to have joy in difficulty because he knew that when their faith was being tested, it was developing perseverance. And, James says, when you persevere, you become mature and complete. In other words, “Keep going to keep growing.”
That all sounds well and good, but the challenge for me and for you is to not hit the eject button, or throw in the towel, or walk away. Trials and difficulty (aka 2020) are not fun, easy, or joyful in themselves. The joy comes from the understanding that God is up to something bigger in our lives and that through these tough seasons of life He is helping us to grow into who He created us to be. Here’s what I have learned in fifty-one years of living, and I bet you know it, too: the toughest times in my life are the times I grow the most. They are the times I realize I don’t have what it takes and I turn to God for the strength, wisdom, and endurance I don’t have. It’s when I am open to listening. To my friends, my mentors, my family, and to the voice of the Holy Spirit. That’s why James tells us to find joy in our trials. Because it is in those trials that God grows us the most.
Jane Fonda said, “No pain, no gain.” James writes, “Know pain, know gain.”
Something that has helped me, and I hope will help you, is remembering that difficult seasons of life are just that. Seasons. They are not forever, they are not the “new normal.” They are moments—sometimes days, weeks, or even months of difficulty, but they are not my destination.
In 1940, Europe was engulfed in World War II, and for many people in England, pain was at an all-time high and hope was at an all-time low. Winston Churchill had recently become the Prime Minister, and he was trying to rally his nation as the Germans carried out the Blitz (German for lightning), bombing London and other English cities day after day for almost two months straight. It was during that time that Churchill was credited with saying, “If you’re going through hell, keep on going.” He would inspire his people to never give up and to fight on, believing victory was possible. At that point, life was hell, but Winston wouldn’t let them stop or stay there.
Thousands of years earlier, God gave that same exhortation to Israel through the prophet Isaiah. Here’s what God said to Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.” (Isaiah 43:1-2)
The key word in those verses is, “through.” When you pass through the waters, and the flooded rivers, keep going, I will take care of you. When you go through the fire, you’re going to make it, I will help you. We all go through difficult times, but the important part is to go through. Not to stop. Not to quit. Not to stop in the valley of despair and build a condo there. Keep going through, believing that God has something greater for you on the other side.
Maybe you feel like you are going through the flood and the fire right now. COVID-19. Job loss. Health issues. Anxiety. Racial and social unrest. Midwestern hurricanes. Murder Hornets. Wildfires in the west, hurricanes in the gulf. The partisan division in politics making it look like we have two nations sharing one country. And those are just the headlines this week. It can seem difficult. Walking away or giving up might seem easier. But count it all joy. Because God is working. He is creating something new in your life. You can trust Him, and you can persevere. And when you do, you will come out on the other side mature and complete. As you know pain, you will also know gain. Keep going through—God’s goodness is waiting for you on the other side.
PS: If you are in the middle of a difficult season of your life, we would love to pray for you. Send us an email (info@journeydsm.org) and let us know how we can walk through this season with you in prayer.