September 15

Written by Bill Grandi on September 15th, 2022

After a day when we contemplated an issue that tested our willingness to trust and surrender (Thanks Ryan S.), let’s move on…to more of the same. 🙂

I think one of the hardest times for many of us is because we may not, or don’t, see the clear path, we have trouble moving forward. Sometimes we act paralyzed. Sometimes we simply hesitate following.

Let me revert to an illustration from the book. Many firefighters survive because they know a key truth: a meadow, brush, or even trees, can only burn one time. Many of them will run to the burn. It seems weird, but it is true. Many firefighters have been saved because they ran to the burn.

That brings up an important point. There is a positive side to adversity. Let’s be honest: most of us would like to avoid adversity. Avoid it like a plague would not be too far off. We see adversity as incongruous to a loving God and that said loving God would place adversity in front of us, let alone have us go through it. We do all we can to avoid it! We are far more interested in what will make us happy; God is far more interested in what will make us holy.

Instead of our natural aversion to pain and adversity, maybe we ought to embrace it. Instead of looking for a way around it, let’s stop trying to avoid it. Suffering can actually give us a greater platform for sharing the truth of God’s love.  Instead of running away, maybe God is saying, “Follow Me into the burn. You may not understand. In fact, you probably won’t. But follow Me anyway and I will lead you to safety. You will get to see what I can do.”

Truth: He does not want us to run ahead of Him; He wants us to follow Him. Even if that following has us meeting adversity.

And for your encouragement this morning, stop and read Psalm 86: 11-13. You’ll be glad you did.

 

10 Comments so far ↓

  1. Hallelujah! Another great post, Bill. I love these verses. How I praise His Holy Name!

  2. Ryan S. says:

    Struggle, aching, tension, maybe even a little pain… Words out of context sound like something you want to avoid… However, to improve it must be endured… to use your words Bill, embraced. Any type of physical training requires discomfort. It requires pushing yourself to the edge. It requires the struggle, the tension, the aching, and yes, maybe even a little pain. Why would I think that spiritual growth wouldn’t require the same. Muscles grow through the process of breaking down and rebuilding… Not always pleasant, but necessary.

  3. gail says:

    As much as I hate to admit it, my hardest struggles and biggest heartaches have taught me to trust God in ways that gave me more value for the other things in my life. My biggest heartache, lead me to leave the Catholic church and pursue a new relationship with God. The worst thing that happened to me, also turned out to be my biggest blessing. Psalm 86, is full of great wisdom. My pray for all of us is that we keep ourselves from having a divided mind, and one that focuses on God first always. Great strings of posting Bill

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Thanks Gail. You have spoken a real truth here. Often our greatest heartache can lead us to new place, new relationships, and above all, in your case, to seek God. I think I know what that heartache is and I’m glad you chose to seek God and a relationship to Him rather than give into despair.

  4. Not a one of us wants to invite adversity into our lives, but I have to agree that some of my most powerful lessons have been learned in the midst of such times. As long as we don’t run ahead of God, we will emerge triumphant on the other side.
    Blessings, Bill!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      So true Martha. But as you state, the key is not running ahead of God. Sometimes that is a real chore.

  5. Ed says:

    This reminds me of how Jesus spoke of his coming trial, then once He was alone in the garden pleaded with the Father to remove the cup, but then He accepted/embraced what laid ahead.