Sparkling water swirled,
generating a powerful current that created a vortex in the center of my
grandparent's swimming pool. My grandfather led the way while my siblings and I
all followed him, propelling ourselves through the water to create the whirlpool.
Once the current strengthened, I couldn't resist turning around in
the water to swim against the surge. Oh man, what a futile effort. Or so it
seemed. Though my little body swam hard and fast, I usually ended up going
backwards, smacking right into my grandpa. With merriment in his voice he'd
say, "Come on, you can do it. Keep going!"
Then the water would whip me
further backwards while I struggled to make progress. It seemed futile and
pointless, but I never gave up.
Our lives can feel the same way.
But the resistance that we find irksome
can bolster us if we allow it. Swimming against the current is
hard, but God uses the hard things in our lives to strengthen us. By summer's
end all those years ago, my muscles had increased and I could go faster and further
than before.
Disappointments, hurts,
sicknesses and other trials are all forms of serious spiritual resistance
training. Instead
of complaining about flexing our spiritual muscles, we can listen for the voice
of God as we struggle, telling us, "You can do it! Keep going!"
By season's end, our muscles will
bulge and we'll be further along than we ever thought possible.
"Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice." Isaiah 41:10
How about you? Are you
currently in resistance training?
5 comments:
Wonderful post. Yes...still in training here but with this new challenge I can draw from the past five years and know I will make it.
Good post, Julie. Yes, I'm feeling resistance and trying to keep at the weight training. I'll keep going because slow and steady wins the race.
"But God uses the hard things in our lives to strengthen us." Amen! I have experienced the same. :)
God bless you Julie! Hester, ;)
To be honest, today I feel as if I am being sucked under by the whirlpool. Help me Father to lean into You and hold on to Your hand.
WOW!!!!! This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I must not be scared, He is with me ,He is the Lord My God!!
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