Ever been in a place like that? Every breath labors.
We are stepping through the storm that was on the horizon weeks ago. It is here. Winds come in waves, hitting full force some days, making it hard to breathe. And every heart-muscled-emotion screams for air, a deep and satisfying inhale.
This is battle. For those who choose to follow Jesus Christ, the heat of the battle takes place inside us. No matter the outward circumstances, the bottom line of the battle is this: will we live surrendered to the authority of God through Christ or not?
Countless friends have sent this Truth: The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent. Exodus 14:14
Father, it feels foolish to be silent when others defend their actions publicly, but the direction from You is to be silent. I never knew being silent would take such energy and cost so many tears.
God allows trials in life to test us, they bring out our moral qualities or character, but temptation persuades to evil, deludes us, so that we may be lead to ruin. God tries; Satan tempts. Man may be tempted through the senses, the imagination, or the reason.
If through the senses: it appeals to greed, appetite, lust, or any one of the passions that bestialize man and create our grosser miseries and crimes.
If through the imagination: it dazzles to betray, comes as pride, ambition, or any one of the graceful and gracious forms that can be made to veil vainglorious egotism.
If through the reason: then temptation will come as the doubt of the true, suspicion of the good, or in any of the many forms in which intellect protests against the limits it so wishes. (Fairbairn, A.M. Studies in the life of Christ. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1896.)
Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.
And we learn He could not be perverted from the perfect will of God, His Father.
I can be perverted from Your perfect will.
It usually begins with wrong thoughts and powerful emotions, Father.
We are destroying speculations
and every lofty thing raised up
against the knowledge of God,
and we are taking every thought captive
to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Jesus walked through many trials.
And we learn of His character by reading His trials.
Recently, the "trial" of Christ's death and resurrection has been celebrated by His followers all around the world. As we celebrated in our home, we read the account of Jesus' last night with His disciples. He washed all 12 of their feet, even the feet of Judas. Moments later, Judas left to commit betrayal.
Jesus knew. And Jesus washed his feet. Jesus ate at the table with him, too.
In the garden of Gethsemane, while Judas was on his way to give a kiss of betrayal, Jesus was in agony. To be in agony means to have extreme and generally prolonged pain; intense physical or mental suffering; a violent struggle. (dictionary.com) In the midst of this agony, He knelt and prayed to His Father,
If You are willing,
remove this cup from me.
Nevertheless, not my will,
but Yours be done.
(Luke 22:42 ESV)
Jesus, even in the midst of His stormy trial, did not fall to the temptation to take matters into His own hands. Christ's trust of God was implicit.
Father, thank You for the example of Jesus, trusting You in the midst of life-storms. I will follow Him.
May our circumstance not dictate our response.
Instead, may our response to the circumstance God allows glorify Him.
Love always,Angie
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