As I was hitting around mile 3 I began to hurt. I was very uncomfortable and was reaching that point where I just wanted to stop, sit down right where I was at, and wait for someone to pick me up in a vehicle. I began asking myself, “Why do I do this to myself?” I answered myself, “So eventually I will be in shape and can run without it hurting.” Then it hit me: No matter how fast I am, even if I’m a gold medalist in the marathon, if I want to get better I MUST run until it hurts. No one has ever gotten faster by taking the slow easy jogs. The athlete training for the gold medal will always run into the pain. In essence, the pain is somewhat of a prize for the athlete, honoring the hard work put in as preparation for the big race.

Folks, the Lord revealed our spiritual life is very similar. We don’t grow without some tough times. The storms and winds force the great oak tree to grow deep roots and the storms and winds of life force us to also grow deep roots in the Lord. I’ve heard it said, “Pain is God’s megaphone to a deaf world.” Philippians 1:29 reads, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” The first time I read this I thought, “Oh no, thank you. You can keep the suffering part. You don’t need to grant that to me Lord. I’m just fine without it.” However, as the illustration of training for the race demonstrates, the Lord truely is granting us a wonderful gift in the suffering we receive.

The suffering we receive from the Lord is similar to a star coach pushing his players to become champions. Do the players suffer during practice? Yes. Is it painful? yes. Do the players sign up to suffer under the star coach? You better believe it. The players who voluntered to play for Bobby Knight considered it a priveledge to suffer under such a great coach and knew they would be transformed into champions.

Friends, are you still complaining about the suffering you endure? Are you still stopping in the middle of your run and waiting for a vehicle to pick you up? Every time you stop and sit down you miss the blessing that comes from suffering for the Lord. May you endure the hardships the Lord blesses you with and may you hear His voice through the megaphone of pain. AMEN!

“However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities,” (v.15) Friends, the message here is that Jesus had tough days at work also. He had long hours and frustrating encounters with people. (pharisees for one) His life wasn’t a bed of roses. When you’re suffering through the worst day of your life, when your boss is simply unrelenting, when the bills are mounting against you, when the kids are possessed (not literally I hope), when the world just seems to be going in the other direction from you, Jesus understands. He’s been there. He offers us an example of what to do during times like this.

“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” (v16) So many people turn to everything but God during these times. Friends, follow His example and withraw often, in order to pray to your Father. You may not believe me, but as you practice this simple but powerful spiritual discipline you’ll find it changing your life. As you spend time with the Master you’ll find Him holding those crumbling walls from crushing you. The bills may remain, but He provides. The boss may remain, but He calms. The debt may still be there, but He provides contentment. The kids will still be there, but they eventually turn 18. (Just kidding, I have 4 amazing kids who bless me every day)

Honestly though folks, Jesus is so much stronger than you or I and yet He withdrew often. How can we expect to make it if we don’t withdraw often in order to pray? Let me challenge you: Make a commitment to pray at least 10 minutes a day for 30 days and see if the Lord doesn’t transform your life. He is in the business of changing hearts and will likely soften pieces of yours you didn’t even know were hard. Trust Him…Spend time with Him…fall passionately in love with Him. AMEN!