As I write to reflect back on April and all God did this past month, I’m aware that some are in need of encouragement today. Sometimes circumstances going on all around us can make us feel like we are being crushed under the weight of stress and strain. In those moments my prayer is that you will hear the Good Shepherd calling,
“Come to Me and I will give you rest…”
There is another kind of crushing, too; one that leads not to felt-obliteration but a manifestation of destiny’s yield. Grapes crushed yield wine. Olives crushed yield oil. Herbs crushed yield fragrance and flavor. Crushings such as these often come through Love’s correction and a lived-out humility and are for a purpose and gift greater than ourselves...a being prepared for what we are destined for.
Sometimes, though, the crushing might feel more like Satan is sifting us like wheat...and that we are being blown away like unwanted chaff on the wind. At these times, it can feel hard to fathom that any seeds worth saving or sowing will remain. This is where we must choose to “fear not” and to trust that Jesus is with us to strengthen, help and uphold us with His victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10). We must believe that, though Satan may desire to sift us like wheat, Jesus has interceded for us and prayed that our faith would not fail—and that, when we come through the test and trial with His help, He will empower us afresh to strengthen others (Luke 22:31-32).
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, at times we may be pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We may be perplexed, but we are not driven to despair. Even when we are persecuted, we are never abandoned by God. And if we get knocked down, we will not be destroyed (1 Corinthians 4:8-9). Be encouraged today. God sees you. God hears you. God knows what you are going through, and He wants to give you REST. Go to Him. And know that I am always honored to pray for you, as well! We are not meant to walk alone!
Click the image above to read the rest of my April updates!
“Come to Me and I will give you rest…”
There is another kind of crushing, too; one that leads not to felt-obliteration but a manifestation of destiny’s yield. Grapes crushed yield wine. Olives crushed yield oil. Herbs crushed yield fragrance and flavor. Crushings such as these often come through Love’s correction and a lived-out humility and are for a purpose and gift greater than ourselves...a being prepared for what we are destined for.
Sometimes, though, the crushing might feel more like Satan is sifting us like wheat...and that we are being blown away like unwanted chaff on the wind. At these times, it can feel hard to fathom that any seeds worth saving or sowing will remain. This is where we must choose to “fear not” and to trust that Jesus is with us to strengthen, help and uphold us with His victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10). We must believe that, though Satan may desire to sift us like wheat, Jesus has interceded for us and prayed that our faith would not fail—and that, when we come through the test and trial with His help, He will empower us afresh to strengthen others (Luke 22:31-32).
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, at times we may be pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We may be perplexed, but we are not driven to despair. Even when we are persecuted, we are never abandoned by God. And if we get knocked down, we will not be destroyed (1 Corinthians 4:8-9). Be encouraged today. God sees you. God hears you. God knows what you are going through, and He wants to give you REST. Go to Him. And know that I am always honored to pray for you, as well! We are not meant to walk alone!
Click the image above to read the rest of my April updates!
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