God's Not Penalizing He's Positioning

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. One of my brothers, (who is a personal trainer) and I had an awesome talk recently. He told me that when it’s time for his clients to advance, he introduces a more difficult workout to them, for better results. He said that some usually ask him if he is mad at them, after he presents the more difficult workouts. They assume it’s punishment, when all it is for- is improvement. It’s to put them in the position they came to him to be in. Oftentimes, when we go through a challenge or difficulty, we automatically assume God’s mad at us. We feel like it is punishment, when all it is- is positioning. In the gym, one can’t continue to lift the same weight or do the exact same exercises all the time and expect to get maximum results. There must be a challenge, and resistance produces different results. It builds the body better. God didn’t allow the weight so it could crush you or tear you down; being the great trainer He is, He allowed more, because He knew it would build you up. You’re improving- getting wiser, stronger and better, because enduring the trials, has produced a greater you. You aren’t being punished; you’re being prepared for positioning. You are going higher. Thank God!