The Wheel of Pain

Clicking through the channels on tv, I happened upon the Arnold Classic, a strongman competition. Just when I was about to change the channel, I heard the commentator mention the "wheel of pain" was coming up next. Curious, I had to see what it was and why in the world would someone want to compete on something called the "wheel of pain"?

The contraption looks like an old fashioned merry-go-round with one exception--it weighs 20,000 pounds. To win the event, the competitors had to make as many revolutions as possible.

Each strongman had their own unique strategy of pushing the 20,000 pounds around in a circle. Some used one shoulder to push it around. Some used both arms. But the one who took the prize maneuvered himself under one of the poles and used the back of his neck and his powerful legs to push the wheel around in a circle.

The winner of the "pain" contraption was the smallest of the competitors weighing in at 331 pounds. (Yes, you read that right). Most would assume the athlete with the most massive, bulging muscles would win. But the strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about.

Isaiah 43:1-3 says, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

There comes a point at which strength alone won't win the battle. It's the will to fight the battle ahead that determines the outcome. God is reminding us that our faith in Him is enough to get us through the rough moments that feel as if they're going to crush us. He didn't promise our difficult days or years will be easy, but He said they won't consume us. In fact, God says we are His. He called us to go through this hardship.

No one enjoys the pain and suffering of pressing through. Pain in the process is not a sign God is absent. It is a sign that God is doing something so divine, so marvelous, it's crushing the flesh because humanity has never been able to stand up under the weight of divinity. Just hold on! You're about to see God's Hand in your situation. In fact, God is always preparing you for the thing He has prepared for you. God has given you the strength and the weaponry to do what you've been anointed and called to do.

God is a restorer. The enemy will regret messing with you when you come out of what you are going through all while glorifying God, even if it's a wheel of pain. Our assignment isn't to show others how good we are. Our assignment is to show others how good God is.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at the Grit & Grace Women's Conference on June 21 in Wesson, MS. For information, www.colin.edu/grit-grace )