What do You Need?
When I Am Real with My Struggle . . .
//Heartprints of God//
Hold On!
//Beulah Hope Ministries//
Forgive the People that Hurt You
//Let Your Light Shine//
Struggle is Necessary
It may sound counterintuitive, but choosing the harder path may make our life easier. Here’s why:
When caterpillars go into their cocoons for hibernation, they struggle against the barrier of the cocoon for months on end, trying to get out. It’s only when their wings have developed and they’re strong enough to fly that they are able to break free and escape. If a caterpillar were to somehow get set free from its cocoon before it was strong enough to escape on its own, it wouldn’t be able to fly, and would eventually die.
The same is true in a way for us. When we face struggles in life, they have great potential to make us stronger. Not only do hard things make us stronger, but they prepare us more for harder temptations, trials, and suffering in the future. In a way, we are made more able to handle future struggles because of the little hard choices we make daily.
Some struggles are greater than others, and maybe there are some things that you are constantly trying to avoid because they are so hard for you to do. But nevertheless, these are the struggles that you are faced with. These are the things God wants to make you stronger through. Because he knows what you need to continue on your path, and he knows that these struggles are not only going to make you stronger but will intensify the victories he has prepared for you. There are some things that come from struggle that are so much more glorious than a scare-free life, and the Lord is ready to show you what triumphs he has in store for you.
Minute Meditation – Joy is a Gift From God
Joy is a gift from God, one of God’s surprises that comes to us when we are expecting something else. And yet we can also say that joy is won. It is won by those with heart enough to surrender to God. God gives the power to surrender, but we alone can choose to use that power. So in that sense we win our joy in God. And “win” is a good word here, for the surrender is never made without a struggle; and in this case by losing the struggle against God and surrendering to God, we win! Another paradox, another reality that only the Spirit of God can explain. Only in the power of God’s spirit is our defeat our victory, and our surrender our real possession.
— from the book Song of the Sparrow: New Poems and Meditations by Murray Bodo, OFM
//Franciscan Media//
Verse of the Day – Truth is Lacking
“Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intervene; then his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as a mantle.” Isaiah 59: 15-17
Life’s Victories
If you’re one of the precious few who have chosen to press into God’s presence, here are five divine principles that can easily be incorporated into your daily living to help you grow even closer in your relationship with Him.
Not only are they simple, but when practiced with dedication, they become unconscious habits — much like the air you breathe!
- Have a Dedicated Time. Having a dedicated time each day to spend with the Lord is the first principle for forming the habit of being alone with Him. Choose a time of day to be with God, and then stick to it. Make a daily appointment with Him. Schedules may change, but make sure that any changes to your time with Him are the exception rather than the rule.
- Have a Special Place. Decide where your “Holy of Holies” will be, and then go there every day so He can “meet with you and speak with you” there (Exodus 25:22). It doesn’t really matter where it is, so long as it’s a place that’s quiet and peaceful for you.
- Be Free from Interruptions. Make sure your time with Him is free from interruptions. We all know what it’s like to be in the middle of a conversation when someone’s cell phone rings and they stop talking to us to answer it. Likewise, when that happens while we’re communicating with the Lord, it conveys a message that we’re really not paying attention to Him. Time with the Lord needs to be focused, directed, and uninterrupted.
- Let the Holy Spirit Dictate your Body and Soul. There will be days when you don’t feel like entering into His presence or being alone with Him because you’re too stressed, tired, or busy. On days like this, you can’t arrive at your decision to spend intimate time with Him based on your feelings. Instead, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to His presence, regardless of whether you feel like it or not!
- Spend Meaningful Time with the Lord. If you desire intimacy with someone, you must be willing to invest meaningful time into the relationship. This is true if it’s a relationship between a husband and wife, a parent and a child, or two friends. And it’s especially true if you want an intimate relationship with God. Spending meaningful time in His presence is a choice and a decision. It’s a response to His invitation when He calls you to “come away” and be alone with Him (Song of Solomon 2:10). As you respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, your time alone with Him will become more meaningful!
Life can be hard. There are challenges and disappointments all around. They can be related to your finances, job, health, family, or friends. But with the help of God’s grace and strength, the joy of His presence in your life will help you achieve victory over any obstacle you encounter!
All He asks is that you nurture your relationship with Him and trust in Him to be in control!