Rejoice in Your Sufferings

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,” Romans 5:3 ESV

If there’s one thing runners are careful to choose wisely it’s their shoes, since having the right pair is crucial to a runner’s success. Which made 27-year-old Dan Camac’s feat all the more impressive: Earlier this month, at the Cadbury Marathon in Tasmania, Australia, Dan set a new unofficial marathon record while wearing a pair of Crocs—becoming the first runner to break the two hour and 50-minute mark in the versatile foam shoe. Camac said his motivation came from scrolling through the Guinness World Records website. “I’m always looking for a new challenge, and I already owned a pair of Crocs,” he said. The previous record for a Crocs-wearing marathon was set by American software engineer Kevin Leimkuhler at the 2024 New York City Marathon. Leimkuhler ran a time of two hours and 51 minutes, leaving Camac with a tight margin in the final few kilometres. Heading into the race, Camac felt confident he could break the record, given his previous marathon best of 2:34 and his experience dealing with discomfort as an ultrarunner. “It sucked,” Camac said about running a marathon in Crocs. “I was fading at the end, but managed to hold on for the record.”

And, you know, long distance runners appreciate (and actually brag about) the ‘discomforts’ they experience because they know that enduring hardships increases their ability to handle increased suffering (which is crucial for success). In the same way, believers can and should “rejoice” in their sufferings as well, “knowing that suffering produces endurance.” And endurance is what allows a follower of Jesus Christ to tolerate the hardships of life. Endurance is what allows their faith to be tested and for them to come out approved. And the building of endurance, forged only by seasons of suffering, is what strengthens a believer bit by bit to be able to withstand the hardest of trials in the same way Paul did and come out declaring, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

 

So, while embracing discomfort goes contrary to what your flesh desires, rejoice in your sufferings my friend knowing that what God is producing in them will far outweigh the temporary distress you will experience on this earth. Don’t seek out trials or search out tribulation, but don’t despise them or lose hope either when (not if) they come your way. Trust in God’s love for you and hold fast to your faith at all times and in all circumstances. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that a life of ease never created a strong Christian. Help us to look at trials as training grounds and suffering as seasons of growth that we might embrace the things we must go through to gain perseverance. Help us to trust You in all things and for all things, never losing hope or doubting that You are working all things for our good and for your glory. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!