Sunday, November 29, 2009

Sticky Lives

by Donna L. Watkins

We'd all like to have a smooth-sailing kind of life with few bumps or waves to rock our boat. Sadly, some of us even expect life to be this way, so when a ripple comes our way, we're discouraged, depressed and despondent about why life is so hard.

© 2009 Donna L. Watkins - Spider and Web
As we go through life, there will be seasons when the emotional and physical trials of life seem too much for us to handle.

Suffering comes in many forms. Death. Divorce. Wayward children. Natural disasters, persecution, illness, job loss, financial ruin. We as Christians are not exempt from the sufferings of this world. We were destined to suffer.

Peter encourages us with, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1Peter 4:12). We should be prepared for trouble by building our faith so we won't be caught off guard in times of trial and testing.

Jesus once said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In Christ we can overcome our circumstances and rise above reality to a spiritual realm of peace and even joy in the midst of it all. We can "soar on wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). It won't make sense to anybody around you, but your heart and spirit will rejoice.

Trials are not meant to produce anger and bitterness. They are for building our faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. We need faith in our lives and troubles will build it in us if we lean into God and trust. In these trials, we can rejoice because we know that Christ has promised us something far better.

We are instructed to give thanks in all circumstances: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (IThessalonians 5:18). That doesn't mean we have to be thankful ... we give thanks in faith that God has a plan and we are willing to trust Him for our lives each day, not only when things are going well.

When life gets sticky, we have to move into the spirit realm for the resources provided for us. Have you ever wondered how a spider can walk all over that sticky web and not get stuck, while its prey flies in and is trapped? The provision God gave the spider is oil. It's tiny suction cup shaped feet exude fresh oil with each step. For us, oil represents the Holy Spirit, who will guide us at all times if we listen with our heart.

Don't get trapped like the spider's prey. Rise above the circumstances and rest in Him. Allow Him to soothe your broken heart and show you the good that is coming out of the situation. If we look with our eyes of love toward the Father, He will always comfort us. Jesus said in John 14:16, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever."

We have a different option, a different calling in the way we respond to trials and troubles. Ask God to anoint you with His fresh oil each step of the way as you walk to victory over the circumstances.

Hearing God's Voice
The book that is having a monumental impact on my life and way of living is one called, How To Hear God's Voice by Mark and Patti Virkler. The clear and detailed content with loads of Scriptural backup, along with the interactive process of applying what you are learning, is yielding a lot of spiritual fruit in my life and the life of my husband, the counselor, who is now promoting the book to everyone he knows. Your view of the present, past and future will never be the same when you begin to commune with God as He always intended us to do since He walked with man in the Garden of Eden. For those who yearn for a deeper relationship with the Father, this book will take you there if you read and apply it. The author promises that and I do too!


Copyright and Reprint Information
The photo(s) and article are copyrighted. You may use them if you include the following credit and active link back to this website:
© 2009 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission from TheNatureInUs.com.
The link URL is: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

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