Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Rising above the storms

Are you weary? Have you been wounded? Do you feel as though you lack the courage to continue? Have you reached a point of defeat? There is a strength that defies human understanding. A hope and determination which can only be supernatural. It is the strength God gives our soul, to help us make it through one more day. Don’t focus on three days from now, or three weeks from now, or even how you will do Christmas ever again. Today trust him for the strength he can give. Then tomorrow do the same.
Sometimes we worry about how we will make it in the future, when all we need is the strength for our soul to push forward today. Perhaps you are aware of the unique ability of the eagle. These fine birds know have a God-given sense about when a storm is approaching. Instead of avoiding the storm, they fly to a higher spot. When the winds come they set their wings to pick it up and allow it to rise above the storm. It actually uses the winds from the storms to lift it higher.
My friend you may not see how your storm could lift you up quite yet, but as you turn to the Lord for strength, he will give you the lift you need to rise above the storm. We can allow the storms of life to weigh us down, or we can allow them to lift us up to a new level of strength, hope and faith. I’m reminded of God’s encouragement to the Israelites found in Isaiah 40:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”[1]
Strength of soul is a God thing, not a me thing or a you thing. It’s that determination to get back on the surf board or return to the work place, or simply to re-enter life again. God has enriched each of our lives with meaning and purpose. He has a plan for our next step and He will give us the strength to take the next step. The Lord is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of need. As he calls us to do a certain work in this world, he will give us what we need to carry it out.

Family Fun: Find a picture of an eagle, print it out and put it on a small poster board or even in a picture frame. Write or print the words from Isaiah 40:28 -31
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Place this picture someplace where you will see it each day. Use it as a reminder of the strength of soul only God can give as you face the storms of life.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Very encouraging for me in this time of forever waiting regarding our adoption process!