Consider It Pure Joy

“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

We all have those fun, sweet memories we look back on in life. Times that make us smile, get excited again, or even laugh. Many times, though, those good memories are made through overcoming struggle. We may not always remember the struggle or the pain because we know the ending. For me, one of those memories dates back to my “glory days” of high school track and field. I remember it like it was yesterday. It all began my freshman year on the 4x100 relay team.  Little did I know that the journey we were about to go on would be a roller coaster battle of defeat and injury.

Defeat

Our young team consisted of one sophomore, two freshmen, and one eighth grader.  We were known as “The Dream Team” for the potential our teammates and coaches saw in us.  We had high hopes of making it to the State meet our rookie season, but those dreams were crushed when our lead-off runner false started in the section meet. 

This moment had the potential to be really devastating, which it was, but rather than letting it tear our team apart, we chose to gather at the center of the field and pray together right after it happened.  We were not going to let one race determine our identity and we trusted that God would work through this setback for His glory and our good.  

Injury

This setback motivated us to come back even stronger the next season, my sophomore year.  We had hopes and dreams of making it to the state meet once again.  This time, those dreams were shattered at a mid-season meet when I suffered a pole vaulting accident and severely sprained my ankle.  I did my best to rehab and get healthy for a chance to race with my team at the section meet, but my body was not quite in the running shape it needed to be and we, once again, missed our chance at the State meet.  Again though, we chose to gather at the center of the field and pray.  We still had faith that God was going to bring something beautiful out of this mess. 

The next season, my junior year, was our last season of all four of us running together and we were determined to make the most of it.  The season ran smoothly and the section meet had finally arrived.  More nervous than ever before, we ended up achieving our dream, placing 2nd at sections, and finally making it to State!  God is so faithful!

The Final Reward

But that’s not where our story ends.  We not only made it to state, but we were State Champions in the 4x1!  To God be the glory!  That was the icing on the cake!  It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it.  As you can imagine, our three-year journey as a relay team was filled with defeat, frustration, and anxiety, and required a lot of trust, patience, and perseverance.  But I can say with full confidence that had we not gone through so many trials and setbacks, our final race would not have been as special and worthwhile.  God really proved His faithfulness to us, even though it took a while to see it. 

Friend, I want to encourage you to “lean in” when things don’t seem to be going the way you’ve planned.  To be honest, I wouldn’t change one thing about the story I just told you, because God had been working in and through us all along.  I encourage you to persevere through the trials in your life, not just in sports, and trust that God has something beautiful to make from it.  

 After reflecting on our journey, I can now say with full confidence that I firmly believe the truth in James 1:2, when it says “consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds.”  In my high school track and field career, there is no doubt that my faith was tested, but God has the power to work miracles and bring beauty from our pain.  

Jillian Irons

Hey there! My name is Jill Irons. I grew up in Byron, Minnesota where I competed as a three-sport athlete in Volleyball, Gymnastics, and Track & Field. I graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN where I continued competition in Volleyball and Track. I am now currently a 6th grade teacher at PEM Schools in Elgin, Minnesota, and I also help facilitate the High School FCA huddle. I married my college sweetheart, Ben, in 2017 and we enjoy spending quality time with family and friends.