Some people say that difficult times develop character. I believe, however, that hard times reveal the character that’s already inside a person.

In Romans 8:18, the Apostle Paul reminded his friends that in times of suffering we have a strong assurance that better things are on the way.

Paul seems to say that the overwhelming greatness of “the glory that is going to be revealed” far surpasses our present, momentary suffering. We should adopt that kind of attitude in competition when we’re tired and our legs ache. Or when we’ve been in the training room all week recovering from the last game. When anything assaults our attitudes and tempts us to quit or to simply give up, we should focus our minds on the glory that awaits the completion of the task and the attaining of the goal.

When praying, ask for the power to press through the suffering and into the glorious reward of achievement.