No Pain, No Gain

In athletics, there is a saying, “No pain, no gain.” When someone is lifting weights, running, swimming, or countless other exercises that I am unfamiliar with, in order for the various muscles to grow, there needs to be force exerted into them. The stress allows the muscles to grow so they will be able to withstand the new force exerted unto them.
One of the most common questions asked about life is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Then there is the extension of that question, “Who do bad things happen to Christians?” The primary answer would be to help everyone grow.
How good would life be if once we commit to Christ that we no longer have to have trials, suffering, or even tribulation? Alas, no one is promised an easy life. We are not promised a life without suffering, trials or tribulation. Yet, we are promised, that God will work out all things for our good, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB)
The first thing that is mentioned in this passage is a two-word phrase: We know. The only way a person can know something is through experience. It is not based upon conjecture or speculation, but experience. We know because we have experienced it. Malcolm Muggeridge, in Homemade, July 1990 wrote, “Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful, with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.”
The second aspect is that God takes all things (good and the bad) and works it together for the good of those who love Him. This is not necessarily talking about the temporal good in our lives. Temporal good is what the men of the world are seeking after, and generally have the greatest share of, and what many expect when they see this verse. Temporal good is only that though, temporary. While a believer will receive some temporal good, it is not the goal of a believer. However, they have with a blessing; and even sometimes afflictions work for the temporal good of God's children.
The good that is mentioned is the good that deals with the spiritual and the eternal. Spiritual good lies in a lively exercise of grace and conformity of the soul to God; and is what the men of the world least regard and the believers regard as the most. Eternal good is the penultimate good. This good is the good that will last for all eternity. The crown of eternal life is the eternal good. The book of James re-emphasizes this point in 1:12, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (NASB)
Results may lie hidden long, but they will come out, showing that God's hand has guided events to their results with unerring wisdom. In the light of eternity, if not in the light of time, they shall see it all, and seeing it shall wonder and adore. Do not allow yourselves now to be deprived of this great prize. Remember the athletic creed: No pain, no gain.