Pain is Temporary

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10 ESV

In an article titled, "Courtney Dauwalter: The fun-fueled ultra-marathon star defying science" published Monday, the following was reported: Ultramarathon runner Courtney Dauwalter crushed the women’s course record at the Western States 100-mile race in California, taking more than an hour off the previous best time. Dauwalter finished the Western States 100 – the world’s oldest 100-mile race – in 15 hours, 29 minutes and 34 seconds, almost 80 minutes faster than Ellie Greenwood’s record set in 2012. The race was first run in 1974.“I just kept asking [my legs] to do one more mile for me and they kept responding, so I was very thankful for that,” Dauwalter told iRunFar about the last 20 miles of the race. “I was definitely, though, deep in the pain cave and really focused on every single step, every single second."

And you know, when it comes to being 'deep in the pain cave' or overwhelmed by suffering and agony to the point of despair, we have reason to take heart. First of all, every believer will experience discomfort and hardship in the race of life at one point or another. It's just the way it is, especially as the end times draw nearer. The Christian life is not easy. But as Peter clearly tells us... our suffering will last only a "little while" compared to eternity, even though it may seem that our pain will never end. The God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.

So knowing that every runner who presses through the pain to make it to the finish line will receive a prize for their efforts, let us stay the course as well--knowing that we will receive something better... a crown that will last forever. Pain truly is temporary my friend. One day soon the Lord will return and take us to a place where there will be no more pain and we will realize that our race was not run in vain.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that all those who faithfully follow You will one day live with You forever in a place where there will be no more suffering and no more pain. Help us to remember that Lord so that when we feel like giving up, we will keep running the race until the day You call us home. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!