Inspiration for the hard times. James 1:1-4

Has your heart ever been broken with great sadness? Have you ever faced a situation in life where you were sure it was more than you could endure?

Here is a good scripture for those hard times: "Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (defined as: steadiness and loyalty in the face of trial and difficulty). And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:1-4.

It is yet another reminder, that we need to do the impossible. Not just to believe our way through the tough times, but to "count them all joy". Now that's really asking a lot: that we should count our trials as joys? Of course, by no means are we to seek out suffering. But when it comes, and few are spared its visit, pray for the strength to welcome it. For with faith, we can endure. Think about it: can anyone really know perseverance without the test? If you have never faced down the thing "feared" or the unutterable, terrible despair, how can you know the gift of fortitude? If you have never neared or hit the wall within, that internal gauge which reads "empty" with nothing in reserve, how will you know your potential to prevail? This is when the mystery of the Spirit becomes real.

Sustaining hope and joy in the face of adversity is the topic of exploration in Sporting Our Spirit. I hope to use the power of sports' metaphors and the virtues embodied in sports (athletes, coaches, games, spectators, and all) to reinforce great lessons of the Gospel: endurance, running the good race, lifting up others (our earthly teammates), and most importantly, trusting God, our heavenly Father, the ultimate Coach and Referee. Know that it is possible with His help to press on. God showed us the unsurpassable example of loving determination and commitment to His will through the life of Christ, His son, our Savior, the ultimate Olympian. Christ did give his all. He stayed the course....perfectly. In Mark 9:23, Christ asks the question of us... "If you can? All things are possible to those that believe." So "be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go"(Joshua 1:9).

The citation from the bible book of Joshua is fortifying and personally relevant to me. Joshua is also my younger son's name. We have in common our determination in life, quite likely a benefit derived from our athletic aptitude. We have also been scarred and transformed by tragedy. In 1999, we were a family of four. Over the course of 5 years, we would lose David and Jake, father and son to depression, substance abuse, and in the end, to suicide, both of them. Our hearts ache with grief. Most days we accept and live with the reality of our losses. Some days, the "why's" and "what if's" are brutal and exhausting. Our story is awful and one (usually by our own doing) that can often alienate us from others. Yet, together, Josh and I, though separated by lots of miles, have survived, sometimes even thrived. Neither of us deserves or desires any special credit for persevering. I believe it is by the Grace of God that in light of our tragedies, most days, we are optimists. The desire to help others by sharing the fruits of God's grace is my objective.

Please visit the Sporting Our Spirit website and feel free to share your feedback.

God Bless.