The Trudge - Lynne Phipps

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 NIV

My dogs and I try to walk every day. Some days, we seem to fly around our route. Our time passes quickly and pleasantly and is over all too soon. But on other days, it’s more like the trudge. The Oxford Dictionary defines trudge as to walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically due to exhaustion or harsh conditions. 

Exhaustion or harsh conditions can also slow the journey of our souls. When life is going well, our relationship with the Lord always seems sweet and full of thankfulness and endless hope, like having wings. Our soul rejoices. The days fly by as we enjoy such calm, happy times. Yet when hardship arrives on our doorstep, life often becomes more of a trudge as we seek to move forward each day, dragging our faith along with us.

Years ago, I remember visiting a friend who was weary from life’s struggles. He quoted Paul’s words to me. When he had finished, he sighed and uttered, "I’m so sick of character building." We both laughed at his remark, yet I still remember feeling the weariness of his trudging soul. 

Amidst such trudging times, although we may feel alone, we never are. The Holy Spirit is trudging right beside us, reminding us of the following: 

The Lord himself goes before us (Deuteronomy 31:8).

He can lead us on the right path (Psalm 5:8).

He is the God of peace and can provide us with every good thing we need to do his will (Hebrews 13:21).

He is wonderful in counsel and wisdom (Isaiah 28:29).

He hears our pleas (Lamentation 3:56).

Therefore, let us not despair when life causes our souls to trudge. Rather, may we rejoice in the Lord’s love and ability to transform our trudgings into all good things in Christ Jesus: spiritual maturity and hope in the Lord, the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

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 (Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV).

He who gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak will help you through life’s trudges. 

Lord God, you who strengthen the weary and increase the power of the weak, thank you for always being with me, hearing my cries, and providing me with all I need to rejoice in my trudging so that I might persevere. Remind me that this produces character and hope, which will never disappoint. In Christ’s name, amen.

Lynne Phipps and her family live on a small hobby farm in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s farming country. She has been writing devotions for forty years and never tires of the spiritual correlation the Holy Spirit blesses her with. He uses normal everyday events and the behaviors of the multitude of glorious creatures He has brought across her path to point her to the truths of God. Lynne is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More.

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Better Together - Tranece Harris

Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor. For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NET

Feelings of defeat and hopelessness overtook me as life’s circumstances proceeded to kick me in the side and punch me in the gut.

I sat paralyzed in my office chair, allowing rivers of tears to stream down my face. I threatened to call someone but convinced myself no one would understand. How could I live in a community of like-minded believers, yet feel isolated and alone? As I reflected, reality sank in. My loneliness was a self-inflicted wound. My assumptions and lack of healthy conflict resolution caused me to convince myself that relationships were too much work. There I sat in the desert, left to face the hardest person I had ever faced—me.

Metaphorically, I felt battered, bruised, and broken and wanted to scream out to the Father and ask Him why He had forsaken me. But at that moment, something clicked, and I felt closer to my Savior than ever before. If no one else could relate to my emotions or understand my circumstances, Jesus certainly could.

I attempted to peel myself from my desk chair to no avail, justifying my withdrawal by verbally reminding myself that Jesus was all I needed. I pictured a hollow chocolate Easter bunny—the only image I could produce to convey my feelings. Isolation proved more difficult than fellowship.

King Solomon explained that we all fall and need encouragement from fellow believers, but we must connect to the body of Christ to get it. We can accomplish more working together than on our own. Even if we think no one can relate to our situation, we may be surprised at how many others experience something similar. Exposure to others provides varying perspectives and new insights.

We were not meant to go through life alone. We are relational beings, meant for fellowship with like-minded Christ followers. Realizing we need others evidences spiritual growth and maturation, not weakness.

What are some ways you can encourage others?

Tweetable: Are you feeling down in the dumps? 

Tranece Harris is pursuing a M.A. in Christian Education at Dallas Theological Seminary. She serves as the president of the ARISE Women Student Fellowship at DTS and works as an admissions counselor. Upon graduation, Tranece plans to start her own nonprofit to offer life coaching to women at no cost. She wants to help women discover their God-given purpose, identify their unique design, and realize their self-worth. She and her husband, Terrence, serve as spiritual growth facilitators. When Tranece is not studying or working, she spends time with her three beautiful daughters, Thalia Faith, Tianna Grace, and Tamara Peace.

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Stunned - Cathy Joy Hill

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NLT

The little old robin—grazed by a car—tried to regain her footing from the shock. I wished I had water or seed. I wished I could hold her and tell her all would be okay. I was sure her wings would fly again one day, but her eyes looked dazed and a bit confused.

She finally settled down, and I softly spoke to her. I planned to carry her home and release her as soon as she felt strong. She had other plans. As I drew closer, she hopped under the hedge, where she breathed easier.

I can relate. At some point, we are all stunned, confused, and perhaps dazed. Evil in every newscast. Death on every shore. We want someone to say everything will be okay—to hold us for a little while, to keep us from the harm, and to help us understand that even in the shadow of death, we have hope.

God says our place of rest is under His wing. We will still see, hear, and know evil, but we can be confident in the ever-present help of the One who tells us we do not have to fear. He alone is our hope. We are stunned, but not lost; confused, but not abandoned; dazed, but not desolate; heartbroken, but not forsaken. We are held and, absolutely, never alone.

How do you respond when you are stunned? 

Tweetable: Have you been stunned? 

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Conquering Depression - Martin Wiles

I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Psalm 143:6-7 NLT

Many people experience small bouts with it at winter’s onset; others do battle with it more often.

SAD—or seasonal affective disorder—was first named by Norman Rosenthal and his colleagues at the National Institute of Mental Health in 1984. Symptoms include oversleeping, overeating, difficulty waking up, lack of energy, trouble concentrating, and withdrawing from friends, family, and social activities.

SAD and other types of depression result from medical, self-inflicted, circumstance-related, or Satan-instigated sources. Conquering it is possible, but how?

Consult the proper Source. David’s present depression was circumstance-related and Satan-instigated. God anointed him as Israel’s king, but prior to assuming the role he faced jealousy and life-threatening tactics from the sitting king. He found himself running for his life.

God is our ultimate emotional healer when we’re depressed. Our efforts toward restored health should include praying for guidance, searching His Word for comfort, socializing with those holding common beliefs, and confiding in trustworthy Christian acquaintances. When God directs—and when conditions warrant, we may need to visit a medical professional for counseling and/or medicine.

Admit helplessness. Depression often brings with it feelings of “darkness” and confinement, as if lingering under an ominous cloud that neither dissipates nor delivers rain.

I’ve taken a few cave tours in my lifetime. While I enjoy being able to ponder underground structures, there’s one part that makes me nervous: when the guide turns out the lights. What if they don’t come back, or what if the flashlight batteries die and he has no extras? Darkness is eerie; absolute darkness is nerve-racking.

David was a darkness expert. He slept in it as a young man while tending his father’s sheep, and he hid in it in a wilderness cave because a jealous king wanted him dead.

Helplessness isn’t easy to admit. We’re more likely to have an attitude of “There’s nothing I can’t conquer.” But like the addict who must confess their addiction before help can be effective, so conquering depression involves admitting to God we’re helpless to overcome without His assistance.

Examine your relationship with God. Charlie was a good girl. Though her father rarely darkened the church doors, her mother made sure she and her brothers attended. When a teenager, she accepted Jesus as her Savior at a church revival and after graduation married her high school sweetheart. They soon entered full-time Christian ministry.

But somewhere along the way, Charlie changed. Her love for church dwindled, and her new friends led her down roads taking her away from God. She began experimenting with sinful behaviors which accelerated her downhill slide. Eventually, Charlie walked out on her family.

David once ventured into forbidden areas after becoming king and discovered what Charlie did: sin never delivers what it promises. He attempted to enjoy life with lies, sexual immorality, and murder—but inherited only depression and God’s discipline. 

Disobedience can be a major cause of a believer’s depression. Anytime we choose to walk away from God, an emotional struggle develops. If not quickly settled by confession and repentance, our emotional war will be lost to depression. Sin always takes us farther than we want to go, keeps us longer than we want to stay, and costs us more than we want to pay.

If you’re struggling with depression, approach the right Source, admit your helplessness, and confess any sinful behaviors.

Prayer: Father, draw us to You when the dark clouds of depression hover over us. 

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The Frustration of the Unknown - Martin Wiles

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT

After numerous doctor visits which brought no answers, my wife and I were frustrated.

The unknown started after a recent move. My wife lifted an item and felt a stabbing pain. Thinking she had pulled the mesh from a recent hernia surgery, we visited the general surgeon. After testing, he determined it was only scar tissue.

Then unexplained weight gain resulted in a trip to the emergency room and then to the cardiologist. Pills to reduce her fluid didn’t work. More tests followed. One revealed an enlarged spleen and liver.

We re-visited the general surgeon who sent her to a kidney specialist. The cardiologist, in the meantime, sent her to a digestive disease doctor.

Weeks and months have passed between the tests and doctor visits. As of this writing, we still don’t know the answers to her unexplained fluid retention. Her frustration—and mine, builds as we await answers while trying not to imagine the worse.

Paul could have also been frustrated by the unknown. Would he survive the persecutions or the trip to stand trial before the Roman emperor? Would his friends betray him? Instead, he did what he advised others to do.

Praying about the unknown is crucial. Every night, I pray for my wife to have strength to face what might be ahead and for God to give the doctors wisdom to find out the reason for her dilemma.

Trusting is important in times of the unknown. God has never let me down and promises not to, regardless of life’s challenges. I can trust Him to work things for my good—even things that appear bad. He has my best interests at heart.

Additionally, I choose to believe God is in control. Doing so helps control my anxiety and frustration level. If He isn’t, I have an even larger problem than the things causing my frustration.

In my wife’s case, I believe God can guide the doctors to discover the reason for her health concerns and to give her the proper treatment. I also believe He can heal her apart from the doctor’s intervention if He so chooses.

Don’t let the frustration of the unknown lead you to doubt, anger, bitterness, or unbelief in a loving God. Rather, believe God loves you and has your situation under control.

Prayer: Father, we trust You to guide us safely into and through the unknowns of our lives. 

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Throwback Tuesday - Managing Stress - Martin Wiles

Managing Stress

“A good man always knows his limitations.” A statement made by Clint Eastwood to his lieutenant in “Magnum Force (1973)-”one of his “Dirty Harry” series, when the lieutenant was bragging that he’d never taken his gun from its holster. 

Jesus managed his human limitations-and thus stress, well. Although frequently thronged by crowds demanding his attention, he never burned out. And at the end of his ministry, he was able to say, I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do (John 17:4 NLT).

Stress is inevitable, but how we manage it determines whether it becomes unhealthy. Read more...

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Flashback Friday - Defeating Discouragement - Martin Wiles

Defeating Discouragement

Her leg was injured in PE class. Surgery would be necessary to repair the injury. Additionally, she would have to keep her leg straight for several months, and then follow this with physical therapy. Her predicament meant she would have to miss months of school.

Meaghan’s* teachers were pessimistic. How would she keep up? Her parents would help her at home-and one would bring her to school to take missed tests, but how long would this last? In spite of the naysayers, Meaghan excelled. In fact, her grades were superior to those she made while in class. Instead of getting discouraged, she proved her determination to finish well. Read more...

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One Thing after Another - Martin Wiles

I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 2 Corinthians 11:27 NLT

With a sigh, my wife called to tell me the garbage disposal had broken. This was just the beginning.

For four years, we’ve rented our patio townhouse. Not long after moving here, we noticed various types of repair trucks were regular visitors in our neighborhood. Our trouble had been minimal…until the garbage disposal stopped working. 

Knowing very little about garbage disposals, I pushed the reset button to see if it would restart. No luck. The next day, my wife called to let me know all the water had not drained from the dishwasher. I took a look. Good reason. The dishwasher drains through the garbage disposal. The next morning, I heard gurgling in the commodes when the washing machine reached the spin cycle. When I returned home for lunch, my wife informed me the microwave had broken. 

I’ve experienced “one thing after another” episodes before, but these breakdowns came too close together. And I almost forgot. These breakdowns were preceded by the news that our landlady was planning to sell our unit. We would have to move. 

Compared to Paul’s one-thing-after-another list, mine seemed tame—but aggravating nonetheless. Any season of endless disappointments or trials always is. When Paul stopped persecuting the church and started promoting it, things heated up. And most of the heat came from his own people who didn’t believe what he was preaching about Jesus. 

Sin not only affects people but it also affects things—causing breakdowns or wear outs.

God allows the one-thing-after-another episodes in our lives, but knowing that doesn’t make them any easier to endure unless I remember He’s also in control. My response is paramount. I can become angry, disillusioned, and despondent, or I can take each hit with the same attitude Paul did. He learned to be content regardless of the circumstances and rejoiced in the Lord always. 

I haven’t mastered Paul’s attitude completely, but I’m closer now than I have been in the past. Knowing how to respond properly when the one-thing-after-another episodes hit is a work in progress…but one God will help me learn if I ask.

When one thing after another hits your life, trust God for the wisdom to carry on with a good attitude. 

Prayer: Father, You are our guiding light. We will trust You regardless of our circumstances.

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Throwback Tuesday - When God Seems Silent - Martin Wiles

When God Seems Silent

If the Son of God himself could feel abandoned because his Father appeared silent, I suppose I can too.

Jesus was earthbound because his Father sent him. Now he was hanging on a cross after having been brutally beaten and abused. What father wouldn’t come to a son or daughter’s rescue in similar circumstances…even kill for them? But not Jesus’ Father. He let him hang there and suffer even more pain, agony, and ridicule. No intervention. No apparent concern. Read more...

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