A little bit of motivation

Have you ever been hurt or down in what you are doing? You know, those times when the very things that you are most passionate about are hurting you. You're getting attacked or going through some type of trial that will make you stronger in that area. We immediately think, Why me? Why God, do I have to endure such times when everything is going so well? I can tell you now that I don't have the answer to that, and I can't be specific in the details of what you are going through personally but I can share a group of verses that tell us a lot about it.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-5).
You see our original motivation is to get past the pain. When we're hurting all we want to do is stop the pain. Get to a point where we are no longer hurting whether it is physical, mental or just plain spiritual. You will never mature, never be completely what God designed you to be if you don't endure a little bit of pain and heartache. Without those trials and those hard times you will stagnate and never grow. I've seen this in young athletes, I've seen this in teenagers striving for something unattainable, I've seen this in adults who are going through hardships. Whatever it is that you are struggling with I assure you God is in control and using it to make you better and stronger.
I love going out to football practice at Pedro and hanging out during the practices. Coach Strickland is one of my favorite coaches to watch, he coaches the offensive line and sometimes if they are having a bad day I can hear him from the parking lot barking out blocking assignments and adjustments to his players. It's hilarious to watch as they mess up at practice and walk back to the huddle waiting to hear about it. He rarely disappoints. The neat thing is that the kids know that he cares about them, and they understand him which is rare for teenagers to get it like that. One day, as I was making my rounds I walked up behind some of the offensive linemen as they were talking. One of them said to the other that he was watching the jv linemen get used to Coach getting all over them and he told one of the jv players the funniest thing. He said, "If he's yelling and getting on to you you're in good shape. It's when he stops getting on to you and stops yelling at you that you need to worry."
Think about that for a moment, I think that young man completely captured the essence of the verses I shared with you today. Be happy when you are going through trials and tough times because that is GOd allowing you to be made more complete and strengthened.
So take heart in those tough times, be glad that God is right there walking through it with you and keep your chin up. When the smoke clears and things settle down you will be much stronger than before because God is chiseling one of His great masterpieces, you.
Thanks for reading and have an awesome weekend!