No pain, no gain....what!?

So I've continued with my running and things are going great. I've worked up to running just about 4 miles in about 53 minutes. This has been quite an accomplishment for me especially since I've just been running for almost a month. I'm excited to be running the Superbowl 10K with Rich on Superbowl Sunday which is in just about 10 days. Today I ran the furthest which was 3.91 miles. It felt great when I got home, but now I'm feeling the pain. My knees are killing me everytime I get up to walk around. But what's that phrase....no pain, no gain. How true. It applies to every aspect of our lives.

So many around me are going through painful times. My sister comes to mind. She gave birth in November at 31 weeks. Pregnant with twins, mid-term lost one baby, a little girl, and then just a few short weeks delivered the other twin. A beautiful & precious baby boy. Things seemed well considering his situation but then the unthinkable happened. Complications with a feeding pump caused him to aspirate his food and his glucose levels were off the charts. Thankfully after being transferred to a better hospital he recovered and is now home where he belongs. But, the events of his birth and the loss of the baby girl for my sister are still fresh and painful.

My mind also reminds me of a gentlemen at church with whom I sing worship who has just been diagnosed with cancer. We are all believing and standing in the gap for his healing. But, we are human and the pain that is felt with that diagnosis is so overwhelming.

We always wonder 'why' in moments of pain. I think 'hey, I'm getting fit, I'm taking care of myself....I don't want to be slowed down by this knee pain'. My sister & the gentlemen at church are true servants of Christ. Lives surrended to Him. But what is it all for....no pain, no gain???? What are we gaining by pain & suffering?

Character.....perseverance....faith.....hope....confidence in Christ.....knowing His healing power.....freedom.....total reliance on Jesus Christ

Makes me wonder what kind of people would we be without pain. It's hard to get up and face the day when you're hurting, especially when the pain is still there. But that's where His strength comes in. I know that everyday that I've been running and increasing my distances that I haven't been able to do it on my own. When I begin to run I truly ask God for strength to complete my goal, and you know what? He shows up! I never thought I could do this 2 months ago, but look at me now. My sister never thought she would walk down the road she's on right now. But I know that it is for a purpose & God is going to use her in mighty ways. I'm sure the gentlemen at church never thought he would have the fight that is ahead of him, but he knows and we know that God is in control and will bestow strength to face the days ahead.

Maybe this doesn't make much sense....just some thoughts I'm having.