Violent winds and rain stormed through our area recently creating havoc with downed trees and power outages. We lost a cedar tree that stood near the back of the ranch house and it fell on the barbed wire fence that surrounds and separates the house from curious cattle. Repairing it became a priority. As the chain saw loudly whirred away at trunk and limbs, we noticed that what had appeared to be a strong and sturdy tree was actually diseased and weak inside. It was a kind of ‘sitting duck’ for any strong wind.
Our reaction to damaged relationships, financial setbacks, health scares, job layoffs, loved one’s illness or death, or world turmoil reveal the depth of our faith. Sometimes we Christians think of ourselves as strong men and women of faith, but when crises come, we may discover we are actually weak, helpless and vulnerable. We realize we had only a flimsy façade of faith or a wishful thinking about faith. We can begin to understand instead of relying on our own power we can trust God for His. I think we want to change, but faith is work. It takes time and practice and doesn’t come easily because it must be stretched and strengthened over time through experience. But God both grants faith and grows faith.
Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”
James 1:3-4, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
In what ways does your faith stand up to the pain and pressures of life? Or does it?
“Dear Lord, help me accept your gift of faith and rely on You for the best ways to grow that faith. Thank you, Amen.”
Blessings of faith! Prayer requests?
No Sitting ‘Ducks’ for Me, PJ
COPYRIGHT ©2014 PJ Gover
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Filed under: Practical Christianity Tagged: crises of faith, faith, spiritual growth, strengthen faith
