Conditioning Period

Football season is officially back. I know the games don’t necessarily start until later in the year—around September—but anyone who’s ever played sports knows that your season doesn’t start when the games begin. It starts when training begins.

To play at the level required for football—or any sport—you have to train your body. You have to stretch. You have to condition yourself physically. Why? So you can build up the stamina and endurance needed to last an entire season.

And I love how that parallels our spiritual lives.

Before a new season approaches, God often allows us to go through a conditioning period. James says it best:

“When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

— James 1:2-3 (NLT)

God sets us up in such a way that He knows we’ll need endurance to walk into what’s next. So He allows us to build our faith, strengthen our trust, and stretch our obedience—not to harm us, but to prepare us to fully execute the plays and plans He’s written for our next season.

The part I really want to highlight is that James said to consider it great joy.

So often, we look for a way out of what feels like a storm. But God—our good Father—isn’t just trying to get us out. He’s trying to teach us something in it. He’s not trying to punish you. He’s trying to prepare you.

So instead of looking for an exit, look for the lesson.

If you’re in a conditioning period right now, I urge you: ask God,

“What lesson are You trying to teach me?”

That way, you’ll be ready for the upcoming season.

Just like football training teaches you the routes and the plays—so it becomes second nature in the game—God wants you to know your plays too.

Ask Him,

• “What’s my lesson today?”

• “Is it about love?”

• “Is it about forgiveness?”

Pray. Listen. He will reveal it.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:2-4 NLT