“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
There comes a moment in the sport of running where you feel uncomfortable and in pain.
You get a pinch or breathing cramp.
Your feet hurt and blisters form.
Your body aches and your muscles burn.
What do you do with the pain and discomfort?
Do you stop and quit, or do you persevere and finish?
Run through the pain.
Jesus endured such incredible agony being crucified for our sins.
He ran through the pain and had astounding, God-given endurance to persevere.
How did Jesus endure?
Jesus had a joy set before Him,
“…for the joy that was set before Him [He] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
His mind was set on something so much higher: the results of His sacrifice.
He had joy set before Him of people being saved and set free from their sins.
He had joy set before Him of being with His Father and in a relationship with those He created.
He had joy set before Him to know you personally and be your Savior and your Lord.
This is how He endured and why He endured through the pain.
How can we endure?
Look to Jesus.
Running through the pain means setting your mind on something greater.
Don’t quit.
Be strong in the Lord and persevere with the joy of the Lord.
He promises to be with His people and never leave nor forsake them.
Even in the pain, we can have an incredible place of joy.
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