Last December I started attending Barre classes, hoping to get in shape for my daughter’s wedding. Barre is designed to build strength, stabilize the core, and improve balance. At the beginning, every class felt nearly impossible. I hadn’t worked out consistently in years, and my body reminded me of it during every pushup. But little by little, my strength grew. My mood lifted. Movements that once seemed overwhelming became easier, even enjoyable. 

But just I start to feel confident, the routine always changes. Suddenly, I'm working new muscles, and I find myself struggling again. This morning, in the middle of a renegade row and pushup series, it hit me: life works this same way. We grow through a hard season and begin to feel like we’ve got our footing. Then seasons change: teen years arrive; a parent’s health declines; a job is lost; a tragedy strikes. And suddenly we’re faced with challenges that require strength we don’t yet have.

God, in His kindness, doesn’t leave us in our self-reliance. He loves us too much for that. Through trials, He humbles us. Through changing seasons, He trains us to depend on Him. Just as Barre forces me to work muscles I didn’t know were weak, life’s hardships expose where I need His strength most. 

We’re quick to pat ourselves on the back when we make it through something hard. But the victory isn’t ours. Every ounce of endurance comes from Him. Our part is to stay consistent. To bring our days before Him in the ordinary and the difficult. And to give Him glory for carrying us through. 

It is here, in this posture, that we can truly consider it joy when we face trials, because we know that the testing of our faith produces a godly character that we could never produce on our own.

"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