CHANCEY: A beatitude for hard times

Published 12:08 pm Wednesday, July 2, 2025

What a frustrating season for these Atlanta Braves! They’ve turned into the Falcons, constantly letting us down. The Braves opened this campaign with seven straight losses. Newcomer Jurickson Profar got suspended. Pitcher Renaldo Lopez had shoulder surgery. Pitcher Spencer Strider strained his hamstring. Pitcher A.J. Smith-Shawver tore his UCL and had Tommy John surgery. Now, Pitcher Chris Sale is out with a broken rib cage.

In addition, this normally powerful offense has mostly disappeared. They often forget how to hit with runners in scoring position. They can beat the powerful N.Y. Mets but lose to the pitiful Miami Marlins. Who can figure?

Have you ever had a stretch like that? One brick layer described his day:

“When I got to the building site, I found strong winds knocked off some bricks from around the top of the building. I rigged up a beam with a pulley at the top and hoisted up a couple of barrels full of bricks.

“When I fixed the damage, a lot of bricks were left over. So I placed the extra bricks in a barrel, then went to the bottom and began releasing the line. Suddenly, the barrel of bricks was much heavier than I was and before I knew it, the barrel started coming down, jerking me upward. I hung on since I was too far off the ground by then to jump. Halfway up, I met the barrel of bricks coming down and it cracked my shoulder.

“I continued to the top of the building and banged my head against the beam and pinched my finger in the pulley. Then the barrel hit the ground so hard it burst open, spilling out all the bricks. Then I was heavier than the barrel. So I started downward at high speed. Halfway down I met the barrel coming up again and it hit me on the shins. When I hit the ground I landed right smack on that pile of bricks.

“Then something bad happened. I let go of the line, and suddenly the barrel came down and crashed on top of my head. I went to the emergency room and they admitted me into the hospital. Therefore, I respectfully request sick leave.”

What a day!

James, a prominent leader in the early church, wrote to Jewish believers facing trials simply because they followed Jesus. He encouraged his readers not to give up and not to give in to temptation, especially the temptation to lose faith.
James says trials test our faith, but this testing produces endurance. Then James gives a beatitude for hard times: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life . . .” (James 1:12, ESV). 

Two wonderful truths stand out in this beatitude. First, the person who endures receives God’s blessing.

“Blessed” refers to the spiritual prosperity we experience when we endure life’s testing times. This person finds his or her happiness not in circumstances, but in God Himself. This happiness comes not from being free from trials, but from experiencing God’s strength and grace as we go through the trials. 

How many times have we heard someone facing hardship say, “I don’t know how people make it through something like this without the Lord”? The Lord gives peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) as we endure whatever life brings. The ultimate blessing is the presence of God, who walks with us through trials.

Second, the person who endures receives God’s reward. The believer experiences this blessing in the present as he or she goes through trials, but God rewards the bulk of this blessing in the future. God grants us the “crown of life” when we get to heaven. 

This crown is the emblem of success given to those who keep their faith throughout suffering and tribulation. 

Commentator William Barclay explained in ancient times the crown of joy was worn at festive times, such as weddings. The crown also marked royalty and was worn by kings. Athletes who won their contests wore the victors crown made of laurel leaves. The crown also was a symbol of honor and dignity.

How do we respond when tough stretches come our way? We cling to God and enjoy the supernatural blessing of joyful, purposeful, abundant living, even in difficult times, while also looking forward to God’s future blessings.

As Braves manager Brian Snitker often says about his team, “We just gotta keep grinding.” 

—Milledgeville native David L. Chancey serves as transitional pastor of Eagles Landing at Griffin, Griffin, Georgia. See more of his writings at www.davidchancey.com.