In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia.
~ Charles A. Lindbergh
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
~ James 1:2-3
The challenges recently have been not unlike a wasp nest falling into a yellow-jacket hive and exploding. The temptations and pressures between work and friends have been jockeying for my downfall. Finding it to be a gift is still a challenge at this point. I have seen some of the weak spots in my faith, and the challenges of relationships reveal yet another layer.
And yet, like tiny snails who form another layer of shell sometimes overnight, and like the caddish fly who covers themselves in handy materials until they are ready to emerge from the water with wings, improvement shines through, patience is being built, understanding a by-product. The best fruit of all is the trust in the Lord. I can feel those muscles gaining strength. Like going to the gym, the muscles are buitl by repetitive action. So I guess that the challenges are building up my faith muscles.
Recently a friend of mine allowed someone to borrow a treasured tool. The borrower promised to return it after the weekend, but it is now three weeks and still no return. The old him would have gone after it, possibly in a confrontational way. The new man is impatient, but allowing the Lord to hold him together. And in this trial, he shines with the light of God even brighter.
Today, Lord, help us to accept the challenges, knowing that you have our backs, knowing that you keep us sane and on course in our flight home.
Because of Him,
Linda
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