Times are wild and crazy with our economy, country, and world. Some of this hits my family directly. The next few posts I would like to share what the Lord is teaching me in hopes that it will help some of you, too. The first in this series is:
Strength in the Strain
“You too be patient: strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:8
That sounds great. I know and believe our Lord’s return is coming in His time, but it’s the “strengthen your hearts” that stopped me. How do I do that? I, many times, pump myself up with good feelings, only to find them deflated in no time.
The physical and spiritual heart function in the same way. We all know that to maintain a healthy physical heart we “should” exercise, eat well, and have fellowship/love with others. The heart doesn’t get strong by just thinking about doing those things or even knowing those things. It takes action. Ditto with the spiritual heart.
First, let me tell you right now, exercising is a strain and major pain. But without any stress, muscles, heart and all that other stuff would turn into mush. The spiritual heart alike cannot grow strong without experiencing the pressures that come with life. Why? If all remained hunky-dorey it would never grow in the strength that God makes available. “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14. So God tells us again to wait (yuck) and courage will come. Well, it’s certainly not coming from me, so it has to come from God. “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.” Ephesians 3:16 Yes, it comes from Him.
Now second, eating, which I love to do and it is one of my favorite pastimes, can heal or kill your heart depending on your intake. The same is true of the spiritual heart. “My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Thy word.” Psalm 119:28 This one is easy; meditate, read and hear the word of God in order to feed the heart and soul. His words are alive and can quicken the heart. For my heart to continue to be healthy, this must be its daily diet.
Third, fellowship with family, friends and outside help if necessary can give the extra support to keep me in alerted to my physical heart. For the spiritual heart it’s necessary to open up and let others pray, support and succor in time of strain, then sweet fellowship will follow. And of course the Father, “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10.
If the strain is tearing you up…complete steps 1-3.
Strength in the Strain
“You too be patient: strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:8
That sounds great. I know and believe our Lord’s return is coming in His time, but it’s the “strengthen your hearts” that stopped me. How do I do that? I, many times, pump myself up with good feelings, only to find them deflated in no time.
The physical and spiritual heart function in the same way. We all know that to maintain a healthy physical heart we “should” exercise, eat well, and have fellowship/love with others. The heart doesn’t get strong by just thinking about doing those things or even knowing those things. It takes action. Ditto with the spiritual heart.
First, let me tell you right now, exercising is a strain and major pain. But without any stress, muscles, heart and all that other stuff would turn into mush. The spiritual heart alike cannot grow strong without experiencing the pressures that come with life. Why? If all remained hunky-dorey it would never grow in the strength that God makes available. “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14. So God tells us again to wait (yuck) and courage will come. Well, it’s certainly not coming from me, so it has to come from God. “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.” Ephesians 3:16 Yes, it comes from Him.
Now second, eating, which I love to do and it is one of my favorite pastimes, can heal or kill your heart depending on your intake. The same is true of the spiritual heart. “My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Thy word.” Psalm 119:28 This one is easy; meditate, read and hear the word of God in order to feed the heart and soul. His words are alive and can quicken the heart. For my heart to continue to be healthy, this must be its daily diet.
Third, fellowship with family, friends and outside help if necessary can give the extra support to keep me in alerted to my physical heart. For the spiritual heart it’s necessary to open up and let others pray, support and succor in time of strain, then sweet fellowship will follow. And of course the Father, “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10.
If the strain is tearing you up…complete steps 1-3.
Posts
4 comments:
OH Karen you have hit the Heart of the issue. It is the exercise that sometimes is the hardest isn't it?
thanks. Clella
What wonderful words of wisdom! May your spiritual heart grow healthy and strong, dear friend.
Dear Karen: Yes, and amen!
How often have I said, "Lord, I want to BE grown up, not go through what it takes to grow up!"
Thanks for the reminder that our strength comes from Him, not ourselves. And He is so willing to give it to us, if we - yuk!- wait on Him.
Blessings on your family, dear sister.
Jen
Thank you for all your wonderful words of encouragement and Christian love.
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