Admiral William McRaven, a former Navy SEAL wrote a book called “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your LIfe…And Maybe the World”. In the book there is a chapter entitled “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Circus.” He describes that “the Circus” in SEAL training is the extra physical fitness training candidates are subjected to when they fail to meet the standards expected. After completing grueling training days that are legendary, those that fall behind are required to do more. In the chapter he says, what happens, however, is if these candidates do the extra work, as hard as it is to endure, in the subsequent days, they become stronger and more capable, and tend to bring themselves back up to the standard expected.

I was reminded of that book when reading the words in Hebrews 12:10-15, “But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

God lets us encounter hard things that often seem unbearable, but they do not go on forever, and when we emerge, we will “not fall but become strong.”

Dear Lord, give us the strength to endure with faith, trust, and hope in You when we are facing the pain of discipline that you have designed to make us better. In Jesus’ name. Amen.