Years ago, a Christian magazine widely circulated an article I had written. In the article, I spoke of how God had lovingly fitted together the pieces of my broken life.
Soon, I received phone calls and letters from people with heartbreaking problems. These fellow travelers reached out to someone who had also walked along the road of despair.
One person wrote of the breakup of a relationship that she had thought would lead to marriage. She struggled unsuccessfully to cope with her pain. In succeeding letters, she said she could not let go of her burden and let God share the load, even though I had encouraged her to by sharing Scripture and articles.
Then I thought of a simple illustration I hoped would help her. When I was a child with a scabby knee, I struggled to leave the scab alone. Time and again, I picked at the crusty growth until it bled. Then, the healing process had to begin anew.
Too often, we repeat something similar. An emotional pain leaves us with a wound. Slowly, the process of healing begins. But then we pick at the hurt—perhaps by thinking of what might have been or what we should have done differently. Soon, tears flood over a heart that has begun to heal, and the scab tears from the wound.
God waits to heal our pain and aching heart but cannot if we pick at the wound. However, if we keep our hands off, His love and peace will cover our wounded spirit and bring complete healing. We must only release our burdens into the Great Physician’s healing hands.
How can you stop picking at the scabs and let God do His healing?
Tweetable: How can you stop picking at your emotional wounds?
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We had no reason to think we’d need shelter in a storm.
My brother, two children, and I had set out for an overnight
camping trip on the Appalachian Trail. No sooner had we reached the gap where
we planned to camp than the sound of thunder peeled through the mountain
valleys. So, we quickly erected our tents.
Within minutes, the lighting popped, and rain poured. The only
things separating us from danger were tall trees and the rubber mats we sat on.
We knew an AT shelter sat a few hundred yards down the trail, but we were
scared to venture out. After thirty minutes, the storm subsided enough for us
to hightail it to the shelter. There, we spent the next four hours, listening
as one storm after another marched across the mountains.
The psalmist pictures God as a shelter for those experiencing
trouble. The AT shelter provided cover for us, but since it was only three-sided and as exposed to lightning as our tents, we weren’t much safer. The
shelter didn’t prevent the storm from coming nor shorten its length or
intensity.
Having God as a shelter doesn’t mean storms won’t come. In fact, I’ve experienced numerous life storms since I made him my shelter. But in the shelter, God strengthens our faith in him to protect us. He may not prevent the storm, but he will safely carry us through it.
While the shelter doesn’t affect the storm, being in the
shelter changes our perspective. Our Shelter can lessen the storm’s intensity
and duration if he chooses. The shelter is also the place where we’re reassured
that God’s in control. He won’t allow anything in our lives that won’t form us more
into his image. In the shelter of God’s arms, we’re safe—even if the storm
takes our lives.
What shelter do you run to when life gets loud and dangerous?
Prayer: Father, thank You for being our shelter when the
storms of life assault us.
Tweetable: Where do you find shelter in your storms?
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It’s not my body after all.
“It’s my body. I can do whatever I want with it” is an
argument often used by advocates of particular causes or those with habits that
can potentially ruin their health—even kill them. On the surface, the argument
appears valid. It is my body, and I do have power over it. If I want to go into
the kitchen, work outside, attend church, or drive somewhere, I can make my
body obey. Whatever messages enter my mind that require bodily movement, my
body will obey unless it’s physically incapacitated, or I ignore the message.
The Bible says God is spirit, but he showed up in bodily form
in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ body moved according to the Father’s
plan. He went where God told him and spoke the words the Father whispered in
his ear. But that body was mangled, crucified, placed in a tomb, raised to life
three days later, and eventually received back into heaven.
God’s body is now represented in every believer’s body. And
if it belongs to God, then it doesn’t belong to us. While we still have control
over it and can ignore God, we’ll only be blessed and rewarded when we make our
bodies follow the messages God puts in our minds. We receive those messages as we
daily read his Word, pray, and pay attention to the still small voice of his
Spirit.
God expected his Son’s body to follow his directives when he was on earth, and he wants his church body to do the same.
Let God direct your body to accomplish his perfect will.
You’ll be glad you obeyed.
Prayer: Father, direct our bodies so that we may accomplish
Your kingdom’s work in this world.
Tweetable: Are you following God's directives for your body?
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My childhood ambition was to be a weather girl on television.
Miss Pat was the local weather personality on the morning show my mother watched daily. She was attractive, likable, and intelligent. And her demeanor made her weather forecasts enjoyable enough to inspire a child.
Pat became my role model as she stood before the big maps, pointing to national regions. It looked easy enough, I thought. I drew crude weather charts and information on paper, taped them to the wall in our den, and used a yardstick to point to various pictures as I “broadcasted” the day’s weather report to my imaginary audience.
By my seventh-grade year, I was still slightly interested in the weather. So, for my science project, I made a couple of simple instruments to demonstrate how to measure wind speed and direction.
But now, as an adult, I desire to point others to the one true God. I show my desire through my words, activities, and lifestyle. Through prayer, involvement in ministries in my church and community, and serving others, I share the light and love of Jesus. I want to encourage others in hope and faith.
The Bible provides wisdom and guidance to live according to God’s plan. It records the details about Christ, whom God sent to earth so we can know and accept Him.
As followers of Christ, we learn how to imitate Him, but obeying God is a lifelong pursuit that leads us to an abundant life with lasting purpose and eternal life in heaven.
Do you have a role model that points you to the one true God?
Tweetable: How are you pointing others to the one true God?
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Karen Huffaker is a freelance Christian writer. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the Deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events.
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Atomic power can be used for good or evil.
German physicist Otto Hahn discovered how to split the atom
in 1938. Scientists feared Nazi Germany might use the knowledge to continue
their attack on Europe. World-renowned scientist, Albert Einstein, was
convinced to sign his name to a letter addressed to United States President
Franklin Roosevelt sharing that concern. Roosevelt in turn formed the Briggs
Committee to investigate nuclear fission.
Intense research on the atomic bomb began in America after
leaders discovered the Nazis were investigating it and after the shocking attack
on Pearl Harbor. On August 6, 1945, a B-29 named Enola Gay dropped an atomic
bomb on Hiroshima, killing 130,000 people. Another one was dropped on Nagasaki
three days later, killing 75,000 more. World War II ended primarily because of
the atomic bomb’s power.
Like many others, I often crave power. I may satisfy my
cravings by being educated for a profession that will place me in a management
position. Or I could go to a local car dealership and buy a vehicle with a powerful
engine. It could be as simple as paying more to get a faster internet
connection.
Whatever power we crave can never be matched by the power of
the God we serve or the power he gives through the relationship. The scientists
who discovered how to split the atom and who eventually developed the atom bomb
were influential and created power, but God gave them the ability to develop
the power. This God created the universe and presently holds it together.
The power God exerts in nature was also demonstrated in his ability to raise his Son from the grave. He will give us this same resurrection power if we ask.
God's power will enable us to face and overcome anything in life. It also provides us with the power to live an abundant life. Nothing is too difficult for God—or us—when we’re in a relationship with him.
What do you need power for at the moment? Ask God. He’ll give
it.
Prayer: Father, may we live and serve with confidence through
the power You supply.
Tweetable: Are you experiencing God's power?
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