"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds" James chapter 1 verse 2.
Trials come to all of us but our attitude towards them can either encourage our faith to grow or totally destroy it. Just as the grit causes the oyster to produce a pearl so trials can develop our character if we welcome them with joy!
Just to prove to you that I do actually work hard when I go to the gym which is several times a week I've included a picture when I was really working hard to develop my muscles. It is only by exercising our faith when trials come our way that we can ever grow into maturity. I must be honest, there really are times when I find it very challenging to "count it all joy" but looking back over the years I can see how God has used these times to develop my faith. I have also learned over the years that if I choose the comfy chair instead of the gym rather than growing my muscles they actually waste away. Many people seek an easy life but when you think about it seriously that type of life would only lead to mediocrity. So keep exercising, keep going to the gym, keep counting it all joy when trials come your way.
John
