Hebrews 12:10-12
New International Version (NIV)
10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
For the past few days, my mind has been mulling over the concept of stretching as it relates to our physical bodies, as well as our spiritual growth. In my attempt to exercise, many times I'm tempted to neglect stretching before and/or after my workout. I usually regret doing this because not stretching causes my muscles to be more sore than usual, many times I'm more stiff and sore the next morning as I roll out of bed, and I set myself up for a higher risk of a muscle or joint injury down the road. I seem to always be in a hurry to get in and get my workout done and checked off of my mental list of things to do, quickly dismissing the thought of the benefits that stretching can bring. However, if you've ever had to deal with a sports-related injury due to lack of preparation, you know that the stinging regret of not taking a small amount of time to prep your body can be bitter. Stretching is not just something I experience in my physical body. I also go through seasons of internal stretching as well. Just like in exercising, I usually tend to want to jump past internal stretching to get to the "feel good stuff" that living as a Christ follower has to offer. You know those "feel good" moments I'm talking about: like when someone you've poured into and encouraged and prayed for has a breakthrough; or when you experience a personal breakthrough; or maybe you experience a new level of intimacy with the Lord that is unexplainable and oh, so sweet. All of those scenarios usually are preceded by a season of stretching. And I'm not always attentive to standing strong and unwavering through those stretching seasons like I know I should be. Some seasons in my life have been normal stretching that we all experience at one time or another. For instance, lately I'm struggling with choosing to pray instead of complain when it feels like I'm experiencing a larger than usual bounty of irritating people or circumstances. Or consciously choosing to let go of my teenage and/or adult children and learn the gentle art of "un-mothering", which I might add, is particularly difficult for me. Or really dialing in and re-discovering my husband and purposely investing into that friendship so that our empty nest season is enjoyable. At other times, my seasons of internal stretching have been extremely painful and have felt intentionally thrust upon me with no warning, like the deep betrayal of a family member that results in a painful season of learning to forgive and release and, finally to bless. Or the loss of a job that results in a season of learning to really trust God for provision and allow Him to shift my paradigm to see what is really important and meaningful in my life. In any season, though, I know that the stretching is a very necessary step in my journey. Unlike the physical results of not stretching, the results of not allowing stretching to take place internally and spiritually results in far greater injury. If I don't embrace when God is stretching me, I won't be ready for the next leg of my journey and I run the risk of hurting the people He brings into my life. If I choose not to add extra investment into my marriage, I run the risk of having a room-mate, and not a soul-mate. Not healthy. If I choose to verbalize every annoyance and gripe and nag, I run the risk of living in the very "world" I create by my careless and unwise tongue. Not healthy. If I choose to hang onto the hurtful things that are said or done against me or a loved one and demand apology or for someone to pay, I run the risk of allowing a root of bitterness to grow in my heart that affects everyone around me and will eventually destroy me. Not healthy. Like everything, application is the key for me. I have to choose to apply the things my head and my heart know in order to truly grow and become a stronger woman who is able to readily meet any challenge or situation that the Lord may allow in my life. Sometimes, I get little kisses from the Lord as I see one of my kids navigate a tricky situation with a Godliness and grace that humbles and challenges me. Or He answers a prayer that I really didn't pray, but I thought about and tried not to worry. Or I witness the faith of a young friend who has battled cancer and is trusting God to be able to keep her leg without the necessity of yet another surgery. These are the little things He allows me to witness that keep me going. These are the things that humble me and convict and challenge me to keep stretching and allowing Him to decide the direction and seasons of my life. I owe it to Him. *Lord, thank you for loving me enough to allow seasons of stretching and discipline in my life. I know You love me even more intensely than I love my own children. Help me to endure these seasons like a big girl and be ready to really love and serve the people You bring into my life well. Amen.*
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
For the past few days, my mind has been mulling over the concept of stretching as it relates to our physical bodies, as well as our spiritual growth. In my attempt to exercise, many times I'm tempted to neglect stretching before and/or after my workout. I usually regret doing this because not stretching causes my muscles to be more sore than usual, many times I'm more stiff and sore the next morning as I roll out of bed, and I set myself up for a higher risk of a muscle or joint injury down the road. I seem to always be in a hurry to get in and get my workout done and checked off of my mental list of things to do, quickly dismissing the thought of the benefits that stretching can bring. However, if you've ever had to deal with a sports-related injury due to lack of preparation, you know that the stinging regret of not taking a small amount of time to prep your body can be bitter. Stretching is not just something I experience in my physical body. I also go through seasons of internal stretching as well. Just like in exercising, I usually tend to want to jump past internal stretching to get to the "feel good stuff" that living as a Christ follower has to offer. You know those "feel good" moments I'm talking about: like when someone you've poured into and encouraged and prayed for has a breakthrough; or when you experience a personal breakthrough; or maybe you experience a new level of intimacy with the Lord that is unexplainable and oh, so sweet. All of those scenarios usually are preceded by a season of stretching. And I'm not always attentive to standing strong and unwavering through those stretching seasons like I know I should be. Some seasons in my life have been normal stretching that we all experience at one time or another. For instance, lately I'm struggling with choosing to pray instead of complain when it feels like I'm experiencing a larger than usual bounty of irritating people or circumstances. Or consciously choosing to let go of my teenage and/or adult children and learn the gentle art of "un-mothering", which I might add, is particularly difficult for me. Or really dialing in and re-discovering my husband and purposely investing into that friendship so that our empty nest season is enjoyable. At other times, my seasons of internal stretching have been extremely painful and have felt intentionally thrust upon me with no warning, like the deep betrayal of a family member that results in a painful season of learning to forgive and release and, finally to bless. Or the loss of a job that results in a season of learning to really trust God for provision and allow Him to shift my paradigm to see what is really important and meaningful in my life. In any season, though, I know that the stretching is a very necessary step in my journey. Unlike the physical results of not stretching, the results of not allowing stretching to take place internally and spiritually results in far greater injury. If I don't embrace when God is stretching me, I won't be ready for the next leg of my journey and I run the risk of hurting the people He brings into my life. If I choose not to add extra investment into my marriage, I run the risk of having a room-mate, and not a soul-mate. Not healthy. If I choose to verbalize every annoyance and gripe and nag, I run the risk of living in the very "world" I create by my careless and unwise tongue. Not healthy. If I choose to hang onto the hurtful things that are said or done against me or a loved one and demand apology or for someone to pay, I run the risk of allowing a root of bitterness to grow in my heart that affects everyone around me and will eventually destroy me. Not healthy. Like everything, application is the key for me. I have to choose to apply the things my head and my heart know in order to truly grow and become a stronger woman who is able to readily meet any challenge or situation that the Lord may allow in my life. Sometimes, I get little kisses from the Lord as I see one of my kids navigate a tricky situation with a Godliness and grace that humbles and challenges me. Or He answers a prayer that I really didn't pray, but I thought about and tried not to worry. Or I witness the faith of a young friend who has battled cancer and is trusting God to be able to keep her leg without the necessity of yet another surgery. These are the little things He allows me to witness that keep me going. These are the things that humble me and convict and challenge me to keep stretching and allowing Him to decide the direction and seasons of my life. I owe it to Him. *Lord, thank you for loving me enough to allow seasons of stretching and discipline in my life. I know You love me even more intensely than I love my own children. Help me to endure these seasons like a big girl and be ready to really love and serve the people You bring into my life well. Amen.*
No comments:
Post a Comment