There’s Happiness in the Hardship

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” Psalm 119:71 ESV

"Well that certainly wasn't how I hoped it would go. But exactly how I expected it to.” Those were the words my friend Chris Hines posted after experiencing a DNF (Did Not Finish) at Sundays Bass Pro Marathon. Anxious to pace the 4 hour, 45 minute group, Chris stepped up to the start with some foot pain and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, the pain only increased and he made the wise decision to bow out of the race at mile nine. “The day wasn't a complete failure though,” he went on say. “After a quick shower and change, I headed back to the finish to cheer on the runners and see Carrie [his copacer] bring home the 4:45 group. That proved to be more rewarding than I expected. There's something about seeing people achieve hard things that I truly enjoy. You can almost tell when it's someone's first marathon as they approach that finish line by the look on their face. Joy, pain, accomplishment, disbelief. A memory they will always cherish.” 

And, you know, as this story clearly shows, things don’t always work out the way we would like them to. But, as believers, we can keep the joy when this happens by remembering that God is always working through our circumstances for our good (even when the circumstances themselves are not good). Many times it’s only in looking back, though, that we can see it. This was something the psalmist clearly understood when he said “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” The affliction at the time I’m sure seemed to be heavier than the psalmist could bear and lasted longer than the psalmist thought he could hang on. But in the end, this wilderness season caused the psalmist to seek God in a way that he never had before or would have otherwise, and for that the psalmist was grateful. 

So no matter what you might be going through today, take heart my friend. God often uses suffering to grow our knowledge of his Word and his true character. And although our trials and afflictions might seem unbearable, they won’t last long in view of eternity. But what they produce in us will. And for that we must rejoice as we trust in and wait on God. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that trials serve a purpose that’s many times beyond what we can comprehend or understand this side of heaven. Lord, please help us to trust You as we endure them and to keep the joy so that others will see that trust and be inspired to follow the only One who can cause us to be happy in the midst of our hardship. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!