"God does not give us overcoming life - He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment."
- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
This is probably the hardest lesson for me in my faith walk. I forget that God works best in my trials, giving what I need for the moment. Often all I can see is how impossible the situation is and wonder why He isn't doing anything or why I’m not making progress. I want to fast-forward to the end even if means I learn nothing along the way. I end up exhausted because I try to work it all out in my own power, lacking the patience to let Him lead me through it one step at a time so I emerge from the valley spiritually stronger and wiser. Often my short-cuts end up being the most difficult route to the destination.
A scripture I often meditate on to help keep God in my moments is Psalm 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." The lesson in that verse is that God lights each step for me, one step at a time, no matter what the situation. It's like walking along a dark path with a flashlight. It doesn't do any good to shine the light too far ahead because I might miss something right in front of me that may cause me to stumble. Or, by looking too far ahead I may see things I don’t understand or fear and be tempted to turn the other way, going right back to where I started. Instead, I keep the flashlight shining closer to my feet and the next few steps so I can see what is there.
That's what God wants to do in my walk with Him. He wants to light my path one step at a time, one strain or trial at a time, and trust Him for what I can't see further down the road. I can have confidence that He is a trustworthy guide because He has already been there.
I just happened upon your blog, the name caught my attention, as I was reading comments on another blog. It's exactly what I needed to hear today! Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteYour words have inspired me!
Victoria S.
Yes, you are right. God is a trustworthy guide.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of not looking not too far ahead on the path, at least not too often! It can be overwhelming, seeing the whole picture like that, enough to almost stop us, or turn us to another route. One step at a time, clearly, with thought, does do wonders on our journey!
ReplyDeleteThese were wonderful thoughts and I needed to hear them this morning. Sometimes things just are soo very overwhelming. SIGH...But I do just need to look to Him to guide the way, instead of blazing my own path. Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteI really needed to read this today, thank you..my morning has been overwhelming!
ReplyDeletePatience is something I need more of and the Lord has seen fit to teach me patience by making me wait.
ReplyDeleteI am reading Psalm 119 right now and just "happened" to read that verse yesterday. I really love your flashlight illustration!! We had a wise pastor once who would always say, "We read it too fast" - So thank you for causing me to back the truck up and meditate more on that wonderful verse. So, so true! He gives the grace when we need it, and not a second before.
ReplyDeleteJust came across your blog and it caught my atention. Yes, it is one step at the time. Enjoyed your illustration.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful post today. You are a very talented writer and always have such good thoughts to share. God does strengthen us through our trials. Love & blessings from NC!
ReplyDeleteThis coming Sunday's anthem is Thy Word, by Amy Grant based on this reading. And I have been humming it all week. Amazing how it works!
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ReplyDelete'and trust Him for what I can't see further down the road' ... this speaks to my heart and gives comfort. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteGood post. I look back and see that often when I have tried to control a situation or make an outcome happen according to my will-it ultimately was not the best solution...then I end up asking for more help.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest lesson I learn over and over is that God's timing is not my timing-his vision is different than my vision.
Amen! Your words could describe just about all of us!
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