Pain Equals Growth

As I used a terrible tool of torture called a Lat pull at my local gym this morning a thought occurred to me. Almost every type of growth involves pain in one way or another. When there is no pain then there is very rarely any growth. This is not just true for physical growth but spiritual, mental, emotional, and all other types as well. Which leads me to wonder why pain has to be involved in growth.

It should be easy for us to grow into mature Believers of Jesus Christ. But instead the road to maturity is filled with painful hills and depressing valleys. It is tempting to become frustrated by this until we remember that Adam was the one who got us into trouble in the first place. If he had not disobeyed God's command along with Eve it would be easy to become like Jesus!

Living a Godly life in today's age is a very painful thing. But God has given us sources of strength and motivation to make us faithful. First and foremost we have been given an incredible standing in Christ as children of God. And because of this we also have a close intimate relationship with God himself. But another source of help for the painful journey is role models.

Role models are those people who give you motivation and support when you are struggling. They have give guidance when you are confused. But more than anything else they become a model that you strive to achieve. You see those role models go through painful trials and yet remain faithful. And their maturity challenges you to become more mature when facing pain. It is true that we should find our greatest source of strength in Christ instead of men.
But we can find motivation and strength through watching Godly role models as well.

Which brings me back to the horrible torture device called a Lat pull. It consists of pulling down a bar attached to weights that puts a massive amount of pressure on my chest and abdomen. I have to do four sets of fifteen reps. The first set wasn't terribly bad. But when I was struggling after number five on the second set I knew I was in trouble. On each of the last three sets I could not finish them without taking a rest after ten repetitions. This is not a terrible thing considering this was only the second time I worked out at the gym. The bad part was that I really wanted to stop at ten.

There was a reason I chose to finish each set even though my arms begged for mercy. Standing a few feet away from me where men who were lifting with the heavy weight machines. These were not professional body builders but still quite impressive. And as I watched those men lifting their heavy weights there was a small part of me that wanted to do the same thing. Now I am never going to be the muscle bound weight lifter. But I can begin doing the heavy weight exercises someday.

Growth of any kind is usually painful. Because of this it is very hard to have continually sustained growth on our own strength. Which is why having a Godly role models is so important. As we watch them live for God in the midst of all situations there will be a small part of us that wants to be just like them. And their testimony will be a source of help as we attempt to grow. We must surround ourselves with true role models. Ones who may not be able to lift heavy weights, but have integrity and holiness, which is much more important.