My personal philosophy on dealing with winter would have worked well in the land of Narnia, where it was “always winter.” I have found that if I keep the mindset that it will always be cold, winter is more bearable. When spring finally arrives, it’s like a welcome surprise. I almost forget that it’s going to be warm again. However, it’s rare that spring comes and stays. When it’s sixty degrees in Michigan in March, I know it’s too good to last, as much as I would like it to. Personally, I think the cold is much harder to take the second time around.
I think my daffodils would agree. As soon as the ground begins to thaw, shoots start pushing their way up to the warmth of the returning sunshine. Of course, there are obstacles. I don’t like obstacles, and I’m sure the daffodils don’t either. They worked so hard to reach the surface, only to find a thick barrier of leaves between them and the much sought-after sun.
Has that ever happened to you? You finally make it over a hurdle, only to find another one awaiting you. It can be frustrating, especially when you know that God could take that hurdle away in an instant, but He doesn’t.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8
I could have easily raked the leaves so the daffodils could soak up the sunshine rather than burrow through the damp barrier, but I didn’t. Why? Because I enjoy making life hard and watching the plants struggle? No. Because I knew what the daffodils didn’t; regardless of how nice the sunshine looked and how warm it felt, winter was not over. What appeared to be a barrier to the bulbs was actually a benefit – a layer of protection against the snow yet to come.
When you come up against a barrier that God has placed in your life, what do you do? Do you stubbornly press on to reach your goal, regardless? Or do you seek His instruction as to whether to stay put or forge ahead?
God has been teaching me that the latter is the better choice. Sometimes life is difficult because that is how God strengthens us. Let’s face it, if life was always easy, we’d never be prepared when the really tough times come. Yet at other times, God places barriers in front of us to protect us, to keep us from heading in the wrong direction or rushing ahead too soon.
Rather than pressing on with my own plans, I’m learning to seek God first, to ask whether He wants me to press ahead, to go in another direction, or to wait. Regardless of the answer, I can trust that it is for my benefit, because I know that God is good and only wants what’s best for me.
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14
Holy Spirit, I thank you for your leading. Help me to be sensitive to your every move, that I may keep in step, not pushing ahead or lagging behind. I’m so thankful that everything you do, you do in love and do for my benefit. Thank you for your patience with me in those times when I don’t quite get it right. Love, Lisa
I think my daffodils would agree. As soon as the ground begins to thaw, shoots start pushing their way up to the warmth of the returning sunshine. Of course, there are obstacles. I don’t like obstacles, and I’m sure the daffodils don’t either. They worked so hard to reach the surface, only to find a thick barrier of leaves between them and the much sought-after sun.
Has that ever happened to you? You finally make it over a hurdle, only to find another one awaiting you. It can be frustrating, especially when you know that God could take that hurdle away in an instant, but He doesn’t.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8
I could have easily raked the leaves so the daffodils could soak up the sunshine rather than burrow through the damp barrier, but I didn’t. Why? Because I enjoy making life hard and watching the plants struggle? No. Because I knew what the daffodils didn’t; regardless of how nice the sunshine looked and how warm it felt, winter was not over. What appeared to be a barrier to the bulbs was actually a benefit – a layer of protection against the snow yet to come.
When you come up against a barrier that God has placed in your life, what do you do? Do you stubbornly press on to reach your goal, regardless? Or do you seek His instruction as to whether to stay put or forge ahead?
God has been teaching me that the latter is the better choice. Sometimes life is difficult because that is how God strengthens us. Let’s face it, if life was always easy, we’d never be prepared when the really tough times come. Yet at other times, God places barriers in front of us to protect us, to keep us from heading in the wrong direction or rushing ahead too soon.
Rather than pressing on with my own plans, I’m learning to seek God first, to ask whether He wants me to press ahead, to go in another direction, or to wait. Regardless of the answer, I can trust that it is for my benefit, because I know that God is good and only wants what’s best for me.
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14
Holy Spirit, I thank you for your leading. Help me to be sensitive to your every move, that I may keep in step, not pushing ahead or lagging behind. I’m so thankful that everything you do, you do in love and do for my benefit. Thank you for your patience with me in those times when I don’t quite get it right. Love, Lisa
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