We
find it so easy to quickly forget the benefits of living as part of God's
family (Psalm 103:2). We grumble more than we express gratitude to our
benevolent Father. We put our church attendance and ministry on the bottom of
our to-do list, and it is rarely a priority in our life.
However,
a viable relationship with God and His family is vital to the health of our spirit
and soul. When we take a break from fellowshipping with God's Saints, we put
both our soul and spirit in jeopardy. We slip into the danger zone of our love
for God growing cold (Matthew 24:12).
Conversely,
living in unity with one Body of Believers gives us a support system; a means
of spiritual maturity through corporate prayer, praise, and hearing the Word of
God taught; as well as an opportunity to help others through their storms in
life.
These
tempests often shipwreck our faith in God's faithfulness. We do not value this
opportunity to grow closer to God, to view His purifying work in our life, and
to improve the depths of our union with Him. We develop more fear, anxiety and
doubt, especially if we shun the support we have from our local church Body.
With
a spiritual viewpoint and focus, we realize that storms have the potential of
strengthening our faith, increasing our unity with God, and deepening our
enjoyment of His presence - within us and all around us. Unity with God comforts,
encourages and supports us in each moment of every day.
The
fierce gales that come against us provide us with the opportunities to trust
God and to see His salvation rescue us from every trauma, tumultuous event, and
time of need. These are opportunities to immediately see God's power, wisdom,
provision and purpose in every one of them.
Prayer:
Father
God, teach us to embrace a heavenly perspective during the trials of life. Help
us to see Your purpose in them, and to look for the seed for a miracle that You
plant in every one of them - even when one negative event follows another, and
we are weary of pain, disillusioned about our prospects, and insecure in
regards to our future.
Help
us to learn to embrace the pain of life, rather than to run from it, or to
pretend it does not bother us. We learn, as Jesus did, to allow patience to
have its perfect work in us during times of suffering (James 1:4-8). We praise
You in every situation. Help us to maintain our faith in Your faithful
intervention, provision and reassurance through it all.
Thought
for the Day:
When
we accept our circumstances - both the advantageous and the challenging - they
are both beneficial in helping us to grow spiritually mature, and to access
God's supernatural strength within us; He already knows the outcome, and He is
equipping us with His wisdom and power to thrive and to succeed during every
moment of our life.
