No Pain, No Gain

Note: this blog was originally written on 09/28/07

So very recently I began strength training again; you know, dumbells, squats, lunges.... aka the non-fun stuff. Now I used to be a hardcore trainer because I LOVED the way it made me feel, but once I got out of school, with my busy work schedule, trying to make time for the boyfriend, yadayadayada, I quit working out. But now that I have all this free time, I found no excuse to hold back so once again running stairs, leg presses and chest curls are trying to become my friends again.... well except for this one problem: I am freakin' sore!

So sore! It hurts to take steps, it hurts to sit down, it hurts to raise my hand over my head, oh the pain! But once I let out a wince from the pain, I instantly smile. Because I know that just means all these exercises are doing what they are supposed to be doing: working my muscles. So while the next few days I might cower at a flight of stairs, in the end the pain will go away and the results will be worth it. I will be in better shape. I'll feel better. As the saying goes: No pain, no gain.

How true can this statement be in our own personal lives?? How much do we hate being in pain? Uncomfortable situations? Anything that takes our "cush" factor away? I was thinking about this tonight as I was driving home. I moved back to Phoenix 8 weeks ago and I feel my life is still not settled here yet. I still don't have a job, I'm still living on my dad's couch, and I'm still praying about God's will for my life. I'm such a passionate person that I get frustrated having to wait, be patient, to walk it out. And I won't lie; I've felt a little sorry for myself. I don't like to be in unrest. And I especially don't want to be in any pain.

But I was reminded tonight by both my pastor and my dad that life isn't always meant to be comfortable. Alot of times we are supposed to walk through pain. How we get through it shows the character of who we are, the strength we have, but more importantly, where our faith truly lies. I know there have been times I missed out on amazing opportunities because I didn't want to walk through the difficulties it might take to get there. Now I never want to look back in regret. I want to know that I tried but most of all that I trusted in God. He's with me in the fire and He will take me out.

And as the saying goes, I know the pain is worth it.