“No pain, no gain.”
Body builders work hard to develop large muscles. The process of increasing muscle bulk begins by first tearing down muscle fibers (ouch) with strenuous workouts. Muscle bulk results when the body repairs these torn fibers. The teardown and muscle-building cycle, called hypertrophy, takes a significant amount of time and effort on the part of the athlete to produce the desired effect of larger muscles. Many athletes willingly subject themselves to this lengthy, strenuous, tiring, and often painful process in order to build up their muscles. A common phrase used among these athletes is “No pain, no gain.”
Does the phrase “No pain, no gain” also apply to Christians who want to develop Godly character and spiritual maturity?
Scripture tells us the necessity and the benefits of trials or “painful” experiences in our lives.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV)
Simply put, trials (tough times) are used by God to build Godly character and spiritual maturity into our lives.
Knowing the benefits of these “trials of various kinds”, we should “count it all joy” as we meet these painful experiences.
“No pain, no gain” does apply to the Christian’s life.
