Yes, Life in Christ is Vividly Real!

It isn’t plastic, it isn’t stained-glass, it isn’t excessively sweet or sentimental, it isn’t fantasyland.

In all my years of walking with the LORD, I have yet to meet one Christian who has lived a “loss free or failure free” life.

On the other hand, I have met a great many amazing believers who have dealt with affliction, loss, disappointment, setbacks, failures, and incredible pain through the years.

I have seen many of those same men, women, and adolescents cling to their joy, radiate hope, and maintain a conquering spirit . . . even through heartache . . . even through tears . . . even at death’s door.

If you’re waiting for a seamless, blemish-free week, friends, you’re going to wait in vain.  There is no such thing.  Know this though, Your “crisis” is important to God – whatever your struggle or setback, it is intended by God to empower and purify you.  Never forget that.

Progress without pain is usually not possible – we live in a skin-deep world – all the things the world values are cosmetic.  Character and substance are shaped in the fires and sorrow of adversity.

Pain makes us sensitive to God – without pain we simply end up spinning our spiritual wheels, and we go nowhere.

David Jeremiah wrote, “Show me someone who lives a carefree life with no problems or trials or dark nights of the soul, and I will show you a shallow person.”

Until we learn how to apply lessons from seasons of failure and loss, we’ll keep repeating those failures — digging ourselves into an ever deeper hole — rather than moving on as we grow up.

You can struggle against the upsetting moment, shake your fist at the heavens, and find yourself exhausted, defeated and in despair… or you can accept the moment and let it train and strengthen you in your inner man.

God allows no pain without purpose.  His power will rest upon you only when you have abandoned the idea that you are big enough to go it alone.  Every plant must weather a storm every now and then!

Listen to the words of Charles Spurgeon –

“Those who navigate little streams and shallow creeks, know but little of the God of tempests; but those who “do business in great waters,” these see His wonders in the deep.  Among the huge Atlantic waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man.”

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”   Romans 8:35.

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed as long as complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included.  Thank You!

” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

Back to Top