From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Well, I just finished a workout at the YMCA. While there, I was thinking that all of these people are working very hard at keeping their bodies in shape and I wondered how many worked that hard to keep their souls in as good a shape?

You are going to be “strained” in a walk in Christ. Just as in the physical workouts—no pain—no gain, they say. And Jesus says the same for your spiritual workout. Look at John 16:33, “…in the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus is the best “personal trainer” you can ever have. He won’t deliver you from trouble, though; He delivers you in it.

As a child of God, you will have plenty of trials and troubles and in that “workout”, you are strengthened. Listen, you’re going to have problems in this life…why not be strong in them! So when crushing difficulties come your way, you can stand strong because you’ll know that if something is so ludicrously impossible, it is not impossible to God. Go ahead now…get to “God’s gym” for your daily workout! Endure the fire—it’s producing pure gold!

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