Encouragement

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My 13-year-old son has a black eye, sore shoulders and enough bruises to play connect the dots.

He’s beaten, banged, battered—and I’ve never seen him happier.

Ask him the reason for this aching euphoria and he’ll sum it up in one word: football.

He made his middle school team, and has worked to earn a starting position on the defensive line. Focused on the goal, he’ll take whatever the sport throws his way, even another kid who outweighs him by 30 pounds and could easily answer to “Tank Boy.”

Though I cringe to realize there are enemies on the gridiron who want to persecute my first born, I must say he’s a tough one to tangle with. Mainly, I’m impressed with his non-defeatist attitude, and with the way he wears his battle scars—no complaining or threats to throw in the towel.

Watching my son play football makes me think of the apostle Paul, who I’m convinced was a sports fan because of his numerous references to athletes*, including Hebrews 12 :1 where he encourages us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Sometimes the race includes suffering, a fact my son knows well as he massages sports cream into his tired muscles. Still, he keeps on keeping on, grinning like a Cheshire as he weathers the pain to win the prize. (Praise God he hasn’t lost any teeth—yet).

His joyful determination is a reminder of how we’re supposed to handle the beatings life throws our way.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1: 2-3)

Honestly, I find “joy” to be a strong word. People don’t generally share bad news with a high five and a “YES!” Who celebrates a grim diagnosis, shouts hallelujah over tragedy or prays for calamity in order to work on their perseverance?

Not me—and I don’t think God expects us to ring the cow bells when difficulties intrude.

How then, are we to apply this scripture? The answer, I believe, is found in what follows the instructions to rejoice— “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” (James 1:4)

It’s not the troubles we’re to rejoice in, but the good and the growth that can emerge from those troubles. Romans 8:28 teaches, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

While we can trust God to bring good from suffering, rejoicing over the future is easier said than done. Losing a loved one, debilitating illness, financial loss—such trials leave people barely able to focus on surviving tomorrow, much less on how they’ll feel in a year. Some trials do more than set us back; they change life as we know it—forever.

Is it still possible to rejoice when these troubles first arise—before we’re able to see what good could come from them? Absolutely—we can ALWAYS rejoice because of this: we are not without hope. We can “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), who will help us survive the storm. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11: 28-29)

Imagine facing a trial without the Lord, then rejoice because you don’t have to! Whatever our trial, we’re promised that the rivers won’t sweep over us, that the flames won’t set us ablaze (Isaiah 43:2). Though grief or fear might lay us flat, those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. (40: 31) While the road ahead looks long and hard, Jesus is our advocate, shepherd, rock, anchor, teacher, cornerstone and wonderful counselor.**

I’ll add “coach” to that list because life often seems like a football game. Sometimes we have to hit the line hard; other times, the line hits us hard. From the first shaky step to the final run of triumph, we can “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4), IF we remember one of the first rules of football:

Listen to your coach.

His Word is the play book, and His love? It’s the Icy Hot that heals the heart.


*1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, Galatians 5:7, 2 Timothy 2:5
**1 John 2:1, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Corinthians 10:4, Hebrews 6:19, John 3:2, Ephesians 2:20, Isaiah 9:6

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