Propelling You Forward

February 20

Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees. J. Willard Marriott

By Marriott's definition, any time of adversity is a time of strengthening for you. Life would be much simpler if the winds of difficulty and struggle would not blow against your plans, but the reality of existence on this planet is that they will —and often! Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.

His Word also tells us that the “rain falls on the just and on the unjust; the sun shines on the just and on the unjust,” Matthew 5:45, so we know that both trials and blessings are universal. Part of the blessing of adversity is that you have the Lord with you through it—and His presence makes you strong. His Word tells us that His Spirit comes as "a mighty, rushing wind," Acts 2:2 and that His people receive power in the wind of His coming.

Ultimately, it is only Jesus who enables us to be strong. His Word says, "Without Me, you can do nothing," John 15:5, and that is absolutely true. Without Him, we cannot even take our next step or think our next thought or inhale our next breath, but He also assures through the wonderful words of the Apostle Paul, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," Philippians 4:13. As you recognize your own inability to navigate through life’s difficult times and His complete ability to help you to do so, you will be more resolute in your determination to proceed to the next chapter of your life.

Fellow believers, including those who are among Heaven’s “great cloud of witnesses,” Hebrews 12:1, support you with their prayers, their faith and their love. They want you to have the "joy of the Lord, which is your strength," Nehemiah 8:10 as you progress toward the deliverance you are seeking from the oppression of the evil one. They want you to lean on Jesus' strong arm and His matchless love for you to give stability to each step you take and to infuse your weakness with His power.

Because "He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think, according to His power at work within you," I Peter 5:7 you may be confident that He will help you to realize your hopes and fulfill your dreams and exceed your expectations for the good blessings you desire from His loving hand. The Christ you love and trust has promised, "I will never fail you nor forsake you," Hebrews 13:5, and His Word assures us that He, "does all things well," Mark 7:37.

With His truth in your mind, with His faith in your spirit, with His love in your heart, with His Word on your lips, may you go forward into the fullness of all the good things He has for you, knowing that the wind that propels you forward is the Spirit of God, the breath of God, and that in blowing upon you, He is giving you strength.