“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” — Romans 5:3-4
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In 2019, I watched a once-struggling team — the Washington Nationals — overcome their difficult season start (19-31 in their first 50 games) by finishing with a 93-69 regular-season record. They were even down in every series in the playoffs, but eventually made it to the World Series against the Houston Astros. After being up 2-0 in the series, they found themselves down 3-2 after five games, but won two straight games to win the World Series.
The Nationals could have easily given up after their slow start, but thankfully there are 162 games in a MLB season. Even though they had a rough beginning, they stuck together and rallied around one another. As a result, they won when it mattered most. Their fight was finished.
You may be facing trial after trial, struggle after struggle, and you may be wondering when you are going to catch a break. Maybe you see others being blessed who seem to have everything they want, and catch yourself thinking, “What about me?” It’s easy to get caught up in comparison, especially in hard times.
Please stop comparing yourself to others. God has created us all with differences, and we are all in different stages in our walk with God. Others who are not saved may have everything they desire, but they don’t have the most important thing they need: Jesus Christ.
Mark 8:36 reminds us, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” You may not have everything you want, but know that God will supply all your needs and bless you in His timing. He knows what you need, when you need it, how you need it, and why you need it.
Through your trials and sufferings, God can build character, patience and faith within you so you can grow to be the man or woman He has designed you to be. It is also during those times that God shows Himself strong in your life so He gets the glory from your life. As you grow in Him, He can prepare you for what He has for you.
Think about it this way: If you get what you desire right off the bat without waiting for His perfect timing or without suffering, how would you be able to build character and grow to be like Jesus Christ? You wouldn’t need to depend on Him. Jesus suffered while here on this earth, so what makes you think you won’t as a Christian? It is so important for us as Christians to wait on God’s timing and trust that He knows what’s best and doesn’t make mistakes.
Work to be content in whatever situation you are in. Seek God first in your life, pray and trust that God will do the rest. One day “the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16).
— Travis Wilson
(Today’s devotional was submitted by the author from “Let’s Go! Weekly Devotions for Godly Competition in the Game of Life”)
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