Key Bible Verse: Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (James 1:2—3). Bonus Reading:James 1:4,12; 5:10—11

I will never forget that bald head. The man was probably still in his thirties, but I was 19 years old, and 32 seemed ancient. The two of us were battling it out for the lead in a six-mile road race. He had more speed; I had more strength. On the flats, he broke away. When we got to the hills, I caught him and then passed him.

My view of training changed that day. On training runs, as I'd approach the crest of a hill, I wondered why I was doing this to myself. My legs would have that weak, blown-out feeling; my lungs would burn. I thought, Is the pain really worth it?

But during this race, every time I saw my competitor fall back on another incline, I was thankful for the times I'd endured training on the hills. In this case, because the finish line was at the top of a hill, I won the race.

The same principle holds true for my spiritual struggles. If God allows us to traverse only flat spiritual ground, our spiritual muscles won't strengthen.

Perhaps it's too difficult to thank God for a hard struggle while you're right in it, but you can look back and say, "God, you really helped me mature during that last difficult time. Thank You."

My Response: One way I sense that a recent struggle helped me mature was …

Thought to Apply: It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.