Training through Hard Times

I've now run 3.1 miles in 34 minutes and I didn't feel like dying at the end! I realize this isn't a lot for some people, but I vividly remember barely making it three blocks from home before becoming unable to continue, so I am very proud.

I credit the wisdom of my running program with the change. It decrees a longer run, followed by a couple of shorter runs. Then it sets a new length record, and returns to the old one for a few runs. In this way, I kept building up time without feeling like the program was too much for me.

I think God sometimes trains us for hard times in the same way. After a difficult time of perseverance, the next few hard spiritual times seem easier to get through. He uses that time to refresh us and increase our endurance, so that we have the foundation to make it through the next spiritually stretching time. His training program is never too much for us: His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and He never allows us to be tempted beyond what we can bear! I'm happy to obey Him in the hard times and in the easy, knowing that He works all things together for the good of those that love Him.