“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” Hebrews 10:39 (ESV)
It’s ever so easy to do the bare minimum, isn’t it? Like going to the gym, I can easily get into my stride of lifting the same weights on strength training days. I will press through those fifteen reps patting myself on the back for doing a great job. And it is great, but if I want to maximize strengthening my bones and muscles (which we ladies know is crucial as we age), then I have to switch up my routine. Lifting heavier weights with fewer reps serves my body well. When I release the urge to limit myself and challenge those muscle fibers, I can gain more strength.
Sounds a bit like faith doesn’t it? When life is easy and manageable, we tend to stride right through the day. Carrying our daily (light) load appears effortless. No heavy lifting of burdens in those seasons. Excusing away consistent time in God’s word because, after all, we’ve got this covered. Or even doing the bare minimum – a quick devotional and checking it off the list. God’s divine preparation in our lives simply overlooked because our easy stride is sabotaging much needed growth.
The ease of life is here today and gone tomorrow. Hard places rise up to the surface, usually unexpectedly. Seasons of being overwhelmed and tackling heavy loads wears us down. Taking a daily breath can exhaust all the strength we have left leaving us anxious, doubtful and stressed about tomorrow. Zeroed in on our circumstances versus our God pivots us down a vulnerable path. Easy prey for the discouragement and disillusionment of Satan’s lies.
Right in the midst of life’s excruciating challenges, God desires to stretch our faith in ways we never imagined. And that stretching is always His divine appointment meant to serve us well. Those disciplines like prayer and studying God’s word that we excused in ease become the very life-giving breath we so desperately need. Reassurances of His presence and promises release daily pressures and enlarge our faith creating growth and perseverance. Counting God’s blessings even in hard places enables us to see His goodness even if it’s disguised as hard. Carrying that heavy load now seems doable as He strengthens the muscle fibers of our faith.
Oh sweet friends, we miss so much when we forfeit doing the hard work in seasons of ease. However, our loving and compassionate God finds great pleasure in us turning to Him and switching up our past bare minimum routine for the pursuit of Him. Thriving versus simply surviving is ours for the taking if we choose to learn through the pain and embrace God’s truth energizing us moment by moment. It’s a win – win when we seek His face and welcome His sovereign work in us instead of settling for the easy out.
“Father, create within us a deep love and passion for Your Word and teach us the benefits of standing firm in our faith even when the ground is shaky.”
For His Glory
Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life
trbccoffeebreak 
Leave a comment