We Should Contemplate the Rewards of Our Trials

James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life,
which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

        One of the things that will help us stick through the trials of life is to contemplate the prize. Verse twelve calls the prize “the crown of life.” It is taken from the Greek word “stephnos.” It is a crown that believers can win if they faithfully serve through shadows and sunshine.
        Every Christian ought to have some crowns as he stands before the Lord one day. It will be awful for some believers when they stand before the Lord and receive nothing for the life they lived. The contemplation of future rewards for enduring trials is a great motivator.
        In the summer of 1962, the New York Yankees had two of baseball’s most famous players: Roger Marris and Mickey Mantle. That summer, I decided I wanted to get a Mickey Mantle baseball glove. I cut grass for extra money. I weeded the garden for extra money. I ran errands on my bicycle. I got tired and sweaty many times, but the contemplation of the future reward (the Mickey Mantle glove) spurred me on. Likewise, the crown of life should motivate us to persevere.
        When the Navy SEALS train, it is 90% mental instruction. It is not physical exhaustion that causes 50% of the recruits to drop out; it is usually the loss of vision and purpose. Those who drop out begin to ask questions like, “Why am I doing this? What’s the point?” Without the proper perspective, potential Navy SEALS quit. The same is true in the Christian life. Keeping your eyes on the crown will ensure you graduate with honors!

Failure is the path of least persistence.