Spirit & Mind

In the late 1980s, scientists attempted to duplicate the earth’s ecosystem in a closed environment called Biosphere 2. While the project failed, researchers did learn a valuable lesson about trees.

Trees in the biosphere grew fast, but before they could mature, they collapsed. Studies later revealed that their demise resulted from a lack of wind. The wind keeps a tree moving continuously, and this constant stress causes the roots to grow deeper and bigger, thus making the tree stronger. Since the trees in Biosphere 2 never experienced wind, their peaceful environment made them too weak to survive.

In the same way, the stress of trials cultivates spiritual perseverance in us. Trials are inevitable and often painful, but they have a purpose. They refine our faith, develop our endurance, and mature us spiritually. Trials strengthen our faith roots and help us survive life’s challenges—whether we suffer the loss of a job, a frightening diagnosis, or the death of a loved one.

James maintains our response to trials determines if we will experience spiritual growth. To become “mature and complete,” we must respond joyfully. This doesn’t mean we have to paint on a happy face and swallow our pain. Instead, we can anticipate what good God will do for us through the trials. We choose to grow bitter or better, to lose hope or gain faith. Our perspective makes all the difference in our journey toward becoming like Christ.

Remember to lean into God’s grace instead of grumbling and complaining when trials come your way. Trust that He will work all things together for your good and His glory. Face your trials positively, knowing God’s grace will sustain you. God will use your trials to develop you into a stronger and more mature Christian.

As a father, I want to protect my children and shield them from hurtful words, upsetting situations, and harmful people.

Years ago, our fifteen-year-old son was injured at a football practice. His spleen ruptured while being hit on a play. What followed was an incredible trial. He lost twenty-two pounds, had two blood transfusions, spent ten days in two different hospitals, and missed thirty-one days of school. Thankfully, he recovered.

Truthfully, however, my strength as a father was not enough for us. We needed the strength of the Lord to endure that season.

God knows our struggles and wants to be our protector, shield, and provider of strength. 

Paul reminds us we struggle not against people but spiritual forces. We cannot protect our families from every threat they may face. Though our inadequacy is humbling, it draws us to depend upon the Lord. We serve the God who has defeated death and hell through His victory over sin on the cross and through His resurrection.

If the Lord promises to help us, no one has reason to fear spiritual attack. We are victorious because we are children of the most high God. We can take our battles and struggles to the Lord of the universe. We can put on the whole armor of God because God gives us all we need to fight the battles.

God can help us face our greatest fears, disappointments, or enemies. He allows trials to strengthen our faith and increase our dependence upon Him.

Let God fight for you. Put on His full armor so you can face any circumstance. 

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and svetlanaeliseevan.)

I planned to light some candles while preparing for my friend’s birthday. Celebration means sharing smiles, special food, and gifts. Time passed, and we all arrived—much older. As I welcomed her, I thanked God for being blessed with kind friends. Our friendship had stayed strong as women of God.

Christians celebrate Jesus, our pillar of strength. We have an awesome God who sent His Son to be our great teacher. I am always here for my friends, who turn to old aunty for advice and counsel. In the same way, we turn to our Lord for wisdom.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. In this verse, Jesus teaches us that our blessed Lord is ever our hidden strength. We can cross each bridge with grace, hoping to raise our expectations and be living manifestations of our church.

Nostalgia has a time and place, but we should look to the future with faith in our hearts. We can wake up with good intentions to live in peace and harmony. This approach is far better than any armed conflict. Praying is an important job.

Yes, Jesus will love us always. We can celebrate our love match. Jesus is our pillar of strength, today and always, until the end of our age.

Find some ways daily to celebrate that Jesus is your strength. 

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and IanZA.)

It was driving me crazy. A prescription medication I’d purchased to use as needed had disappeared when the need arose. I searched every drawer and shelf where I might have stashed it. My husband joined the hunt but with no success. My memory may be slipping a little, but this was ridiculous. At least the particular medical issue wasn’t dire, I consoled myself. But the medication would bring relief.

The next day as I worked on my Bible study lesson, I read about Elisha helping someone who had accidentally dropped an ax head in the river. With God’s supernatural power, Elisha retrieved the tool by throwing a stick in the water. The ax head floated to the surface. The lesson notes indicated God is concerned for us even in everyday dilemmas and problems. We only have to ask.

Remembering where I’d placed that medication was like trying to bring that lost ax head to the surface. I stopped in the middle of the lesson and said, “Lord, would You help me find where I put that medicine?”

I felt prompted to check the receipt to ensure I’d purchased it. I had. Now, I also knew the name of the medicine. Back into the bathroom I went to recheck all the places I’d poked into before.

Seeing a container I hadn’t noticed before, I pulled it from the bin and saw the label with the medicine’s name. All this time, I’d been looking for a tube, only to find the medicine was in a jar. Interesting how my brain forgets what something looks like, but the Lord knew. What a compassionate Father He is to involve Himself in the mundane and sometimes frustrating situations I create for myself.

No request is too unimportant or insignificant to present to our gracious God. He eagerly awaits to assist. Let Him know what you need. 

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and NoName_13.)

Charlie seemed like a born-again believer. He wore a cap with a cross on it and also participated in a pro-life movement. After his death, his three daughters shared how he had abused them. Believing a Christian would do this, especially since he was so involved in the pro-life movement, was difficult for me. 

I do not have children, but I do have nieces and nephews that seem like my children. I have never done what Charlie did, but I must remember that when pointing my finger at the sins of others, I need to turn one finger back to me.

Although I never committed Charlie’s sin, I have not been Christlike with my interactions with others where I work. Sometimes I have been so convicted that I have returned and told one of my peers I was sorry.

Neither Charlie nor I deserve salvation. I was spiritually dead, but because Jesus died on the cross, I can be saved by His grace. We all must take our sins seriously by confessing them and seeking God’s forgiveness.

I need to do better. And we can all do better with the Lord’s help. Acknowledge your sins, confess them, and turn from them.

Name changed to protect the privacy of the individual.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Geralt.)