I recently played tennis with my oldest sister and her family. It was such a fun day and I had a great time. I knew that after playing, considering I had never played tennis, that SOMETHING was going to hurt later. Sure enough, my arm and wrist hurt starting the afternoon after I played. It last for about a day or so. I worked it out, tried to move my arm and wrist randomly throughout the day. By now, I’m all better!

This is similar to when we become disciplined and when we obey God. Is it easy? Is it necessarily fun? Does it hurt? Sometimes the pain is a consequence or the pain is during the obedience. If we aren’t doing the hard things, we aren’t being disciplined, we aren’t obeying and we are maturing.

What do you gain from playing tennis? Over time, you expect to get better. I highly doubt anyone is a professional tennis player when they first hit the tennis ball on the court. Tennis was hard because I could only hit it (well) forehand and not backhand. I was later told I was holding the racket wrong when I went for the ball in a backhand position.

Sometimes we need direction. Sometimes we’re doing something wrong. This is just an example of not being able to actively practice our faith without other people. It’s hard to go through anything in life and not have someone to vent our troubles and frustrations to or to lean on for the company we need.

Our obedience and our growth is difficult many times. It puts us in uncomfortable positions and can sometimes bring any sort of pain with it. It is so worth it though. Bringing God glory is our goal. Let’s do it.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

2 Timothy 4:7

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

1 Corinthians 9:25