The whole creation… travaileth in pain...
(Romans 8:22)

     Many athletes are afflicted by aches and pains resulting from various types of sports related injuries. There is an old saying among sportsman: "If your injury isn't bad enough to stop your career, then you better keep playing." Major League baseball pitcher turned professional golfer, Rick Rhoden (b: 1953) said it best. "We all suffer aches and pains. Some guys tolerate pain better than others, but if you want to be a big leaguer, you have got to play with pain." In 2008 professional golfer Eldrick "Tiger" Woods (B: 1975) demonstrated this big leaguer attitude best when he won the U.S. Open Championship while playing in much pain with a broken leg and a torn knee ligament.
     If you likewise want to be a spiritual big leaguer, keep serving Jehovah God in both the good and bad times. When suffering from emotional or physical pain, due to being hit by one of life's curve balls, keep playing. Don't give up. "In due season you shall reap, if you faint not" (Gal 6:9). For though "many are the afflictions of the righteous… the Lord delivereth… out of them all" (Ps 34:19).