When I was a teenager, I was a competitive long distance swimmer. My preferred race was the 1500 meter freestyle. I trained with the Industry Hills Aquatics Club. I was part of a smaller subset of swimmers who trained with the coach who specialized in long-distance events. Our training was longer than most of the other swimmers. Where their workouts were 1 1/2 to 2 hours long, ours was 3 to 3 1/2 hours. We trained seven days a week, twice on weekdays.

The foundational goal was to build endurance, which would then enable us to compete successfully in long-distance events. But the process to gain this endurance was painful. I remember days when I could barely move from the soreness and exhaustion of the long hours of training.

Jesus seems to have a similar training program for his apprentices. Look at this familiar passage from James’ letter:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

The Greek word for “perseverance” can also be translated as “endurance.”

James encourages Jesus’ apprentices to face all of their trials with joy. This is key. 

Remember, joy is not an emotion. Joy is primarily a posture in life. Dallas Willard defines joy’s posture as “a positive outlook of hopefulness based upon a pervasive, overall sense of well-being”. He then says, “Joy maintains a positive posture in life that assumes that good will be supported and eventually triumph over any apparent obstacle.” So whatever type of trial we may encounter, we can remain hopeful, knowing God is caring for our well-being and his goodness will always prevail.

Why is joy so important? Because trials test our faith. It’s similar to testing precious metals to show their purity. Trials are the fire that heats up our faith so impurities can be revealed. It exposes our hidden fears, anxieties, doubts, selfishness, and their corresponding actions and habits.

Then in humble repentance, we work with Jesus to remove those impurities and train into greater endurance. Over time, increasing endurance produces a mature and complete faith so we can interact with God and his kingdom in every aspect of life with full competence and sufficiency.

But the entire process can be unpleasant, painful, and even excruciating. Joy — the pervasive sense of well-being in God’s care — is the salve for this painful training process. It soothes and protects our faith as it’s tested and as we develop further endurance.

Now overlay James’ encouragement upon the competitive imagery in Hebrews 12:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance [or endurance] the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

The testing of our faith, and the subsequent training into ever-increasing endurance so that our faith becomes mature, well-developed, and sufficient, is the essential conditioning we need to run the race and keep our focus upon Jesus. And notice, our focus pinpoints on Jesus’ exemplary example of enduring the greatest trial of the cross with joy. Pondering our Mentor’s joy-fueled endurance energizes us toward the same.

The joy-filled testing of our faith trains us into joy-fueled endurance so we can run the distance like Jesus did.

So name your trial. We all have them. They’re part of life. 

Now face that trial with joy — the foundational truth that regardless of how frightening and painful it is, your well-being is in God’s competent care and that regardless of the outcome, you will be okay in him. 

Let the fire test your faith. Don’t be afraid of what is exposed. It’s okay when crap is squeezed out. That’s the purpose of the testing. Don’t cover it up or rationalize it. Own it. God loves to forgive, so you’re safe.

Now talk with Jesus. Let him share wisdom and activities that will replace your current thoughts, feelings, and actions with new ones to address what was exposed.

Now back to joy. This process is painful. You’re going to hurt. Let joy be the soothing balm. You are safe in God. He has done well by you.

And get ready. New trials will come. And they’ll expose more of the same. Some of our crap runs deeper than we imagine. But cling to joy. Cling to Jesus. Like a good coach and mentor he’ll walk you through it. He’s been there himself. He endured the worst with joyful endurance and can show you how to do it as well.

He is the expert at endurance training