Growing up, this time of year would mentally be the end of summer for me. This is because I would usually start practice for the upcoming football season around this time of year. That was the case for both my middle school and high school years. Along with younger football leagues, training camps start for the college football teams and National Football League Teams. This time of year can be critical in terms of team development. Essentially, a team is preparing to handle the arduous times a long football season can bring. It can be physically and mentally challenging for both players and coaches. In essence, there can be a lot of uncomfortable times when preparing for a football season.

Like a football team, a lot of times, we improve through uncomfortable situations. As Christians, there will be times when we will experience uncomfortable situations. These situations can test our faith and our discipline. While being uncomfortable is not the best thing, it can be beneficial. I want to reference James 1. In verses 2-4, it says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

While adversity is not fun at the moment, it can make a difference. That brutal practice in July might help a team earn a win during the football season. That random, arduous day in our lives could be a foundational piece in strengthening our faith in God. To improve ourselves in any area of our lives, we must find comfort in the uncomfortable. Life can be challenging. That is why we need to make the most of any situation. Embrace the discomfort because it could yield the results we are seeking.