“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.”

This week the parking lot is filled early as are the fitness centers.  The cafeteria staff will chuckle at how the salad bars are depleted at a rate that they haven’t seen, well, since last January. Everyone starts the year at the highest of intentions with fullest of lists and resolutions.  Companies and individuals do the same and we all hit the ground running as hard and as fast as we can, sprinting into the new year.  But, then we hit hurdles and obstacles and then what?  Well, those who look at the problems and trials as good that make us stronger are the ones who turn the sprint into a marathon, and stay at it longer and more consistently.  This comes down to a binary choice.  Are we going to stick with that we set out to accomplish or are we going to quit and come up short?  Yes, it is a choice.

Paul puts it out there for us for the new year.  We are going to run into trials and problems in life. Anyone who thinks they won’t are delusional.  But, when we do, will we lament and turn around, or will we rejoice and push through, building greater and greater endurance for the long life run that we have in front of us?  So, the beginning of the year is a great time to reset our expectations and look for the good in all the tough and get ready for a year of greater endurance to be built.

Reference: Romans 5:3 (New Living Translation)