Faith is a muscle that requires work. Imagine going from a couch potato to running the Boston Marathon overnight? It would be impossible. But if you first start going for long walks, then build up to short jogs, and finally work your way up to long runs, you can make it possible. And those first walks may cause some stretching of your muscles. Sacrifices to your time. The first jog you go on may result in stumbling and twisting your ankle. But you learn not to wear those type of shoes. You push harder each time. And you find it easier each time to accomplish those goals and strive towards the next one.

Marines go to basic training. Where they are pushed hard and relentlessly. Some are pushed to nearly breaking. Because they cannot go into war unprepared. They must know how to endure. How to defend and how to attack the enemies. If they don’t know how to handle the physical and emotional battles, they fail. And lives can be cost as a result. Like these newly enlisted soldiers going to basic training, God is allowing trials and tribulations to test and strengthen us. Life is not easy. And it is certainly harder as a believer because there is a spiritual attack against us from the moment the Devil senses that we may turn to Jesus. And he comes hard against us once we have found our salvation. Because he hates us. The closer we draw to the Lord the harder the enemy will attack. He doesn’t want our faith to spread. He wants to keep as many people away from God as possible. So life hurts. But remember, each trial that is allowed to come your way makes you stronger for the next one. And the reward? Eternity. Definitely worth it!