It Ain't Easy!

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

1 Peter 1:6 

 

I remember, quite well, Army Basic Training.  It was torturous. It was challenging.  It was painful.  I wanted to quit.  It was definitely an endurance test.  And, believe it or not, it was one of the best growing experiences in my life.  I still use many of the skills learned in Basic Training, and while I am grateful for my Drill Instructors, at the time I really wanted them to leave me alone.  You see, Basic Training was trying for everyone, but especially for an introvert like me.  I was promoted midway through and was made Squad Leader which forced me to step out of my comfort zone and be in charge of my Squad.  Each day I prayed for this little slice of torment to be over.The endurance test of Basic Training was 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 8 grueling weeks.  I entered Basic Training at 185 lbs. and graduated 8 weeks later at 127 lbs.  

 

However, before I left for Basic, my recruiter told me that it was going to be "the closest thing to Hell you'll face this side of the dirt."  And he wasn't kidding.  Even though I KNEW ahead of time, I still struggled!  Guess what?  Scripture tells us over and over that on this Earth we will have to endure and even with that knowledge we still struggle, at least I do.  But the thing that keeps me going is knowing that God has promised that He will always be there to help.  The mere fact that, compared to the eternity that awaits, our endurance through the trials of this world are relatively tiny discomforts.

 

When we rely on God, that still doesn't take our stresses and trials away, but we will be given the strength to endure and to endure mightily!