James 1:2-4
Dear brothers, is your life full of
difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough,
your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to
squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full
bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full
and complete.
The Living
Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All
rights reserved.
Today, two “memes” showed up in consecutive order on my Facebook wall.
The first one said, “Sometimes the strongest among us are the ones who
smile through silent pain, cry behind closed doors, and fight battles
nobody knows about." The next one said, “Dear ‘Whatever doesn't kill
me’... I'm strong enough now! Thanks!” I was unable to positively
determine the authors of these quotes, but I felt they were worth
sharing.
None of us likes to be uncomfortable. We do not relish
difficulties and temptations…much less a “rough row to hoe!” Ask anyone
if he/she enjoys tests of patience...or problems...and you’ll probably
get a resounding “NO!” The old adage that "What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger" may have some truth to it...but most of us would rather not test that theory!
Still,
we read in James 1 that difficulties and temptations should bring us
joy! We read that patience will grow out of challenges…that our
character will be strengthened, and our faith in Jesus Christ will be
fully developed. And those of us who have lived through some “stuff”
can attest to this. As I think about my own life and the times when I
was truly tested…I see how God used these times to develop my faith
muscle - and keep it strong.
Timothy mentioned to me again this
morning that "your home is always joyful and happy” (his words). He
knows that Greg and I have challenges…that we have experienced grief,
health concerns, and other life events that have tried our patience.
And yet, he sees that we are (generally) able to manage them with
confidence…and a positive outlook. I pray that our children will take
this example to heart…that in the years to come, we can encourage them
to internalize the words of James in this passage... and trust God to
care for them and develop their faith – even in difficult times.
There
was one more “meme” that I noticed as I was preparing this message. It
said, “People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss
the point...the glass is refillable.” God can fill our “glass”…and He
will do so over and again, if only we will trust Him. I cannot prevent
challenges, heartaches and disappointments in my own life, the lives of
our children – or you! But GOD can help us all to grow in and through
these experiences…and share an ever stronger faith in Him with others.
Whatever
you are experiencing today, trust God to get you through it. Allow Him
room to work, and watch as He develops your faith and strengthens your
ability to operate in patience, courage, and empathy. God will fill
your “glass”…and keep it filled. Are you ready to let Him?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label growing from difficulties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growing from difficulties. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 22, 2013
James 1:2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
On Monday, May 20th, Special Education aide Suzanne Haley sheltered her two daughters and several students in a classroom as an F5 tornado barreled down on Briarwood Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma. When the storm passed, Haley said she “felt a heaviness” on her right leg, as if something was pinning her down. She could not lift her leg at all, and she asked one of her daughters to take a look and see if there was something in the way that could be removed. The daughter screamed when she saw that her mother’s leg had been impaled by the metal leg of what appeared to be a child’s school desk or table. Remarkably, the teacher’s aide/mother remained calm in front of her students. In an interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan, Haley later said, “"Amazingly by the grace of God I kept it together. If it's shock, it's shock. I couldn't go into hysterics in front of my children, in front of the other students. I had to be calm for them. Not even until after surgery, when I came out of anesthesia, did I lose it."
This heroic single mother of two protected her students and children at risk of her own life. In her interview with Morgan, she related that First Responders had whisked her away to the nearest available hospital…which was not a facility that honored her insurance coverage. While the table leg missed any bones and pierced the flesh and muscles underneath her leg, Haley still faces three months of therapy and recovery. On top of this, she reported, “My car is now in a pond near the school.” Haley said a fund had been established already to help defray her expenses, but that she didn’t truly know how she would make ends meet. Morgan assured her that a link to information about her expense fund would be posted on CNN’s website.
This morning, Piers Morgan’s blog included a post that announced that Suzanne Haley’s insurance company plans to cover her entire hospital bill. Whether this will include the therapies she will require is unknown… but it’s a start. Surely, Suzanne Haley’s faith – and that of countless other Oklahomans – was tested on May 20th… and rewarded. And I can’t help but believe that her endurance will grow as a result. She will no doubt be a better mother, teacher’s aide, friend, and servant because of her troubles and the chance to strengthen because of them.
It shouldn’t take an F5 tornado to get our attention. We should be fully developed in our faith and without any need. But that is simply not the case for 99.9% of us. We do have doubts, challenges, and frustrations. We often have no clue how strong we truly are… much less Who is responsible for that strength! But we can grow and learn… even from the horrific experiences of others like Suzanne Haley and the people of Moore, Oklahoma.
The next time your faith is tested, think of May 20th. Remind yourself that the God who gave men, women and children Supernatural strength and courage in the face of what must have appeared to be most certain death and destruction will do the same for you. I pray that your faith is never tested in this manner. But I know that we will all be tested in some way. How will you react? Will you patiently endure your trials and grow through them? Will you come out stronger and more sure of God’s love and care for you?
Just how needy are you today? What is missing in your life and your “faith walk?” Are you patiently working through whatever God has allowed to come your way? Do you know that He is with you every step of the journey? Won’t you allow Him to help you work through your tests… and to find joy on the other side? Aren’t you ready to lack for nothing in the LORD? Isn’t today a good day to start the process?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
On Monday, May 20th, Special Education aide Suzanne Haley sheltered her two daughters and several students in a classroom as an F5 tornado barreled down on Briarwood Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma. When the storm passed, Haley said she “felt a heaviness” on her right leg, as if something was pinning her down. She could not lift her leg at all, and she asked one of her daughters to take a look and see if there was something in the way that could be removed. The daughter screamed when she saw that her mother’s leg had been impaled by the metal leg of what appeared to be a child’s school desk or table. Remarkably, the teacher’s aide/mother remained calm in front of her students. In an interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan, Haley later said, “"Amazingly by the grace of God I kept it together. If it's shock, it's shock. I couldn't go into hysterics in front of my children, in front of the other students. I had to be calm for them. Not even until after surgery, when I came out of anesthesia, did I lose it."
This heroic single mother of two protected her students and children at risk of her own life. In her interview with Morgan, she related that First Responders had whisked her away to the nearest available hospital…which was not a facility that honored her insurance coverage. While the table leg missed any bones and pierced the flesh and muscles underneath her leg, Haley still faces three months of therapy and recovery. On top of this, she reported, “My car is now in a pond near the school.” Haley said a fund had been established already to help defray her expenses, but that she didn’t truly know how she would make ends meet. Morgan assured her that a link to information about her expense fund would be posted on CNN’s website.
This morning, Piers Morgan’s blog included a post that announced that Suzanne Haley’s insurance company plans to cover her entire hospital bill. Whether this will include the therapies she will require is unknown… but it’s a start. Surely, Suzanne Haley’s faith – and that of countless other Oklahomans – was tested on May 20th… and rewarded. And I can’t help but believe that her endurance will grow as a result. She will no doubt be a better mother, teacher’s aide, friend, and servant because of her troubles and the chance to strengthen because of them.
It shouldn’t take an F5 tornado to get our attention. We should be fully developed in our faith and without any need. But that is simply not the case for 99.9% of us. We do have doubts, challenges, and frustrations. We often have no clue how strong we truly are… much less Who is responsible for that strength! But we can grow and learn… even from the horrific experiences of others like Suzanne Haley and the people of Moore, Oklahoma.
The next time your faith is tested, think of May 20th. Remind yourself that the God who gave men, women and children Supernatural strength and courage in the face of what must have appeared to be most certain death and destruction will do the same for you. I pray that your faith is never tested in this manner. But I know that we will all be tested in some way. How will you react? Will you patiently endure your trials and grow through them? Will you come out stronger and more sure of God’s love and care for you?
Just how needy are you today? What is missing in your life and your “faith walk?” Are you patiently working through whatever God has allowed to come your way? Do you know that He is with you every step of the journey? Won’t you allow Him to help you work through your tests… and to find joy on the other side? Aren’t you ready to lack for nothing in the LORD? Isn’t today a good day to start the process?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 11, 2012
James 1:2-4
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, my mother phoned me early to say she was headed onto the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina… a road which she had never traveled. Her husband, Lee, and his son and son-in-law were on a week-long bicycle trip on the Parkway, and Lee had taken ill. He was hospitalized, and Mother was leaving the campground in which she was staying in Asheville… headed to find the three men. She was clearly shaken and said, “Please pray for me… I’m entering unfamiliar territory.”
Some four hours later, Mother phoned to tell me that she had arrived, and Lee was fine. They were loading the bikes and gear and heading back to their motorhome in Asheville. Hopefully, in a couple of days they will be back at home, safe and sound.
I let a few close friends and relatives know this morning what was happening… including Mother and Lee’s pastor… who is my lifelong friend. He replied with a beautiful prayer – for my mother’s husband… for her safety… and for our own fears to be calmed in the mix. I told him, “I’ve never been prayed for via e-mail before… but I like it!”
Instantly, I was calmer. I was reminded of my faith and WHO is in charge at all times. Under pressure, my faith-life came to the forefront as my friend talked to God on our behalf and ministered to us. On Joel Osteen’s Facebook wall, I read the following quote: “God will not allow a challenge to come into our life unless He has a divine purpose for it. Nothing in life happens to us; it happens for us.”
I don’t yet fully know the purpose of this challenge. I’m not sure what God is trying to tell my mom and her husband. But I do know how He used this event for me. God clearly reminded me that, in all that has been happening lately in my little corner of the world, HE is still in charge. I am surrounded by many people who stand in agreement with me for His will to be done.
Whatever challenges you are facing – and I’d bet you are facing a few – they are not wasted. God has a divine purpose for them. Ask Him to show you what is happening for you in these trials… ask God to reveal to you what He has in mind. Don’t ask “Why me?” or even “What next?” Ask Him, “What do you want me to learn from this? What is Your purpose… and how do you want me to proceed?” Then listen for His answers, calm your spirit, and get ready to be amazed at His answers.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, my mother phoned me early to say she was headed onto the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina… a road which she had never traveled. Her husband, Lee, and his son and son-in-law were on a week-long bicycle trip on the Parkway, and Lee had taken ill. He was hospitalized, and Mother was leaving the campground in which she was staying in Asheville… headed to find the three men. She was clearly shaken and said, “Please pray for me… I’m entering unfamiliar territory.”
Some four hours later, Mother phoned to tell me that she had arrived, and Lee was fine. They were loading the bikes and gear and heading back to their motorhome in Asheville. Hopefully, in a couple of days they will be back at home, safe and sound.
I let a few close friends and relatives know this morning what was happening… including Mother and Lee’s pastor… who is my lifelong friend. He replied with a beautiful prayer – for my mother’s husband… for her safety… and for our own fears to be calmed in the mix. I told him, “I’ve never been prayed for via e-mail before… but I like it!”
Instantly, I was calmer. I was reminded of my faith and WHO is in charge at all times. Under pressure, my faith-life came to the forefront as my friend talked to God on our behalf and ministered to us. On Joel Osteen’s Facebook wall, I read the following quote: “God will not allow a challenge to come into our life unless He has a divine purpose for it. Nothing in life happens to us; it happens for us.”
I don’t yet fully know the purpose of this challenge. I’m not sure what God is trying to tell my mom and her husband. But I do know how He used this event for me. God clearly reminded me that, in all that has been happening lately in my little corner of the world, HE is still in charge. I am surrounded by many people who stand in agreement with me for His will to be done.
Whatever challenges you are facing – and I’d bet you are facing a few – they are not wasted. God has a divine purpose for them. Ask Him to show you what is happening for you in these trials… ask God to reveal to you what He has in mind. Don’t ask “Why me?” or even “What next?” Ask Him, “What do you want me to learn from this? What is Your purpose… and how do you want me to proceed?” Then listen for His answers, calm your spirit, and get ready to be amazed at His answers.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 29, 2011
John 15:4-7
Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don't stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire.
Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever lost one piece to something in a set, you know how incomplete the rest becomes. Take earrings, for instance. Once in a while, it happens… you lose one of your favorite earrings. You don’t know where or how it happened, but now the other one is pretty much tossed to the back of the jewelry box and forgotten… rendered useless. Or maybe you throw away the odd piece altogether.
Another is buttons. We need buttons on our shirts and other items of clothing. But often, when we lose a button, a suitable replacement just cannot be found. So we toss the shirt into the trash or rag bin… or at best, we stick it in the back of the closet and wear it when we are doing odd jobs around the house.
Of course, we all know that leaves and fruit that fall from a tree or vine quickly wither and die without the strength and sustenance of the plant itself. And this may be exactly why Jesus chose this illustration. Apart from Him, we will wither and die… and ultimately be tossed away to join Satan in the depths of hell. I’m not saying this to scare anyone… but the fires of hell are like the fires that burn dead, dry branches – only worse – and the idea of Satan’s misery and darkness for all eternity does not interest me in the least!
The bottom line is that we must stay connected to God. We must be continually joined to Him in communication and prayer, faith and trust, service to Him and to others, and fellowship with other believers. We must never pull away or get so arrogant as to think we don’t need God… even for the smallest task or for even one minute from your day.
You wouldn’t think of wearing only one earring just because you lost the other. You probably would be uncomfortable wearing a shirt with missing buttons. Shouldn’t you be uncomfortable even thinking about spending any time apart from God? Are you attached to the Vine today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don't stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire.
Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever lost one piece to something in a set, you know how incomplete the rest becomes. Take earrings, for instance. Once in a while, it happens… you lose one of your favorite earrings. You don’t know where or how it happened, but now the other one is pretty much tossed to the back of the jewelry box and forgotten… rendered useless. Or maybe you throw away the odd piece altogether.
Another is buttons. We need buttons on our shirts and other items of clothing. But often, when we lose a button, a suitable replacement just cannot be found. So we toss the shirt into the trash or rag bin… or at best, we stick it in the back of the closet and wear it when we are doing odd jobs around the house.
Of course, we all know that leaves and fruit that fall from a tree or vine quickly wither and die without the strength and sustenance of the plant itself. And this may be exactly why Jesus chose this illustration. Apart from Him, we will wither and die… and ultimately be tossed away to join Satan in the depths of hell. I’m not saying this to scare anyone… but the fires of hell are like the fires that burn dead, dry branches – only worse – and the idea of Satan’s misery and darkness for all eternity does not interest me in the least!
The bottom line is that we must stay connected to God. We must be continually joined to Him in communication and prayer, faith and trust, service to Him and to others, and fellowship with other believers. We must never pull away or get so arrogant as to think we don’t need God… even for the smallest task or for even one minute from your day.
You wouldn’t think of wearing only one earring just because you lost the other. You probably would be uncomfortable wearing a shirt with missing buttons. Shouldn’t you be uncomfortable even thinking about spending any time apart from God? Are you attached to the Vine today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 7, 2011
John 9:1-11
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus' disciples asked, "Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?" "No, it wasn't!" Jesus answered. "But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him. As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light for the world."
After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man's eyes. Then he said, "Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool." The man went and washed in Siloam, which means "One Who Is Sent." When he had washed off the mud, he could see.
The man's neighbors and the people who had seen him begging wondered if he really could be the same man. Some of them said he was the same beggar, while others said he only looked like him. But he told them, "I am that man."
"Then how can you see?" they asked. He answered, "Someone named Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. He told me to go and wash it off in Siloam Pool. When I did, I could see."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having a baby… anticipating the birth… preparing, planning, and counting the days… and then the doctors tell you, “Your child is blind.” Surely you would ask, “What happened?” and wonder if perhaps you (the parents) did something wrong. Even if you knew you did everything perfectly and followed doctors’ orders to the letter during the pregnancy, you might ask, “Is this God’s way of punishing me for something I’ve done?” Clearly, Jesus mandates to all parents here in this passage that this is not God’s intention. In fact, He explains that such things are opportunities for us to witness God’s miracles in action.
This was the case for my friend, MawMac, who recently died. A tragic set of circumstances at birth caused her precious daughter, Mary, to have cerebral palsy. Born nearly 60 years ago, Mary could easily have been tucked away at home or in an institution, as people did with children who suffered such maladies “back then.” But Mary’s parents treated her as normally as possible… and I don’t have time or space to tell you all of the miracles that countless people witnessed through her affliction and how her family handled them.
In much the same manner, we all have challenges and issues that we would love to blame on our childhood, our parents, or even God’s punishment. But we cannot. Remember… God does not make mistakes. Each challenge, blemish, unfortunate circumstance, or deformity is a chance for us to see God’s miraculous power at work. God can use these situations to teach us faith, grace, mercy… to show us His healing power… and to teach us patience and perseverance. God can show us how to grow in our love for Him… and how to have courage when things seem to go awry at every turn.
Every circumstance is an opportunity for God to teach us more about Him… to share His miraculous love and power. What is He teaching you today? What challenges are you facing? Are you allowing Him to help you see them as stumbling blocks… or miracles in the making?
©2011 Debbie Robus
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus' disciples asked, "Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?" "No, it wasn't!" Jesus answered. "But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him. As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light for the world."
After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man's eyes. Then he said, "Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool." The man went and washed in Siloam, which means "One Who Is Sent." When he had washed off the mud, he could see.
The man's neighbors and the people who had seen him begging wondered if he really could be the same man. Some of them said he was the same beggar, while others said he only looked like him. But he told them, "I am that man."
"Then how can you see?" they asked. He answered, "Someone named Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. He told me to go and wash it off in Siloam Pool. When I did, I could see."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having a baby… anticipating the birth… preparing, planning, and counting the days… and then the doctors tell you, “Your child is blind.” Surely you would ask, “What happened?” and wonder if perhaps you (the parents) did something wrong. Even if you knew you did everything perfectly and followed doctors’ orders to the letter during the pregnancy, you might ask, “Is this God’s way of punishing me for something I’ve done?” Clearly, Jesus mandates to all parents here in this passage that this is not God’s intention. In fact, He explains that such things are opportunities for us to witness God’s miracles in action.
This was the case for my friend, MawMac, who recently died. A tragic set of circumstances at birth caused her precious daughter, Mary, to have cerebral palsy. Born nearly 60 years ago, Mary could easily have been tucked away at home or in an institution, as people did with children who suffered such maladies “back then.” But Mary’s parents treated her as normally as possible… and I don’t have time or space to tell you all of the miracles that countless people witnessed through her affliction and how her family handled them.
In much the same manner, we all have challenges and issues that we would love to blame on our childhood, our parents, or even God’s punishment. But we cannot. Remember… God does not make mistakes. Each challenge, blemish, unfortunate circumstance, or deformity is a chance for us to see God’s miraculous power at work. God can use these situations to teach us faith, grace, mercy… to show us His healing power… and to teach us patience and perseverance. God can show us how to grow in our love for Him… and how to have courage when things seem to go awry at every turn.
Every circumstance is an opportunity for God to teach us more about Him… to share His miraculous love and power. What is He teaching you today? What challenges are you facing? Are you allowing Him to help you see them as stumbling blocks… or miracles in the making?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)