With power outages, blown debris, and downed trees, recent storms left their mark around our town. While certainly not the devastation experienced by those enduring more significant and destructive displays of nature’s power, it was a mild reminder of man’s limited power. On our way to church the next day, my son asked why the thinner and smaller trees seemed untouched while the larger ones seemed to receive the greatest impact. Listening to my husband’s answer, I found a spiritual lesson as well. Flexibility facilitates endurance.
Life holds the guarantee of trials. While hardship sometimes comes as a consequence of our choices, not all difficulty can be traced back to sin (John 9:3). Scripture reveals that events of blessing or calamity do not distinguish between the righteous and the wicked (Matthew 5:45). God allows us to walk through the floods and the fires so that His glory and love might be made manifest in us, even (and especially) in times of great weakness. More important than the storm is God’s visible work in us.
The heart-shaking winds of life’s storms prove our need to stay rooted in God’s Word as we bend to His will. Difficulties, however, also reveal hidden issues in our hearts. And when we find our strength and security in our own resources, trials can topple the seemingly strongest of the strong. But for the one who places his trust in the Lord, God’s Word stands as his surety (Psalm 16:8-9; Hebrews 12:2-3), not for his own plans—but God’s. In God’s Word, we learn these truths about endurance in the face of trials:
• Worship gives us the strength to endure (Psalm 52:8).
• Godly endurance brings forth strong fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8; Hebrews 12:11).
• Understanding His love for us is our source of peace (1 John 4:18).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Nehemiah 2:1-20
More:
Read Hebrews 12:1 and James 1:2-4 to see the connection between the trials we face and our ability to successfully run the race of faith.
Next:
What “storms” have threatened your sense of well-being? What does God’s Word say about your circumstances?
seeking777always on April 29, 2012 at 9:55 am
I loved this reading today, God truly does want the best for us so we need to give our best to him. When those storms come breaking though our lives, our foundation in Christ is what is going to determine whether or not we make it though them.
It’s like the parable of the wise and foolish builder. When we build upon the “rock of Christ” we will stand but when we build upon the a a’sand of the world” we will most assuredly fall.
Blessings,
regina franklin on April 29, 2012 at 10:19 am
Dear Seeking777always,
Our choice of foundation is absolutely critical in times of trial. This past week, my students and I were studying Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. As we were discussing the various characters’ responses to adversity, I shared with them that crisis is not a guarantee of character growth. Rather, it is our response to the crisis that determines whether or not we learn and gain strength.
Blessings as you continue to choose Him as your place of surety.
GChoo on April 29, 2012 at 12:36 pm
What a good analogy of our faith in God Regina.
May we pray for a childlike faith, flexible and trusting in our heavenly Father for everything, especially when we meet with sudden storms in our lives.
God bless.
regina franklin on April 30, 2012 at 8:11 am
Dear GChoo,
Thank you for the encouragement. Blessings to you as well!
yemiks1 on April 29, 2012 at 3:14 pm
The God that we serve is a loving God; but whenever I see myself/another Christians in a storm, I remembers the story of Job. I finally concluded-IT’S JUST A TEST.& if we fail it, we’ve indirectly disgraced ourselves to God. God forbid. From our mv_I will never be shaken, cos the Lord is my Light & Salvation.amen! Blessings!
regina franklin on April 30, 2012 at 8:14 am
Dear Yemiks1,
Thankfully, we serve a teacher who is for us and who uses those times of failing to impart His loving endurance, if we so choose to embrace the lesson.