As you know I try to work out at least three days a week to keep myself in decent shape. Mondays are my least favorite day to work out because I have my kick boxing class these days, which is the class where I’m pushed the hardest to perform. Not that I don’t enjoy kick boxing, but it hurts my shin every time I kick the bag… (I’m a wimp!). So I went to class on Monday and found myself feeling a little relieved when we had a fill-in instructor. I knew the class would push me but it wouldn’t be like most Mondays where I count the minutes to completion. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy the normal instructor, but I was ready for an easier workout because it had been such a busy day.
The class began and it was your typical warm up. Running, frog jumps, push-ups, burpees (no, it has nothing to do with belching…lol), lunges, and the list goes on. After the warm up we have 30 minutes of boxing and kick boxing routines. Things were progressing normally with the class doing the routines when I noticed that the instructor had put on boxing mitts and was going around having everyone in the class hit the mitts for a period of time. This is probably my favorite part of boxing class! I was at the end so it would be a long time before he got to me, but it gave me something to look forward to. When he finally arrived to me I remember setting up and telling myself to hit them hard. One of the sounds I love to hear is the pop of the mitt when you hit it square and hard! As I was hitting, the pops were getting louder, and it made me want to hit them even harder. When he was doing my 10 second count down I increased my drive with every punch. When I finished he complimented me and said I had a really strong right hand. I felt so good to hear those words of encouragement and warn you readers to watch my right! (Ha ha.) As class was wrapping up he made his way over to me and again complimented me and said that it felt like I was going to break his hand. I just laughed and thanked him for the compliment and walked out feeling like Mohammad Ali. I know I would be taken apart if I ever got into the boxing ring with a real boxer, but that instructor created an excitement in me that has me counting down the minutes until my next workout.
I love how Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote words that excited and encouraged the church. He offered them words that created excitement in going out into the world and making a difference in the life of someone. He also encouraged them to encourage each other. Who is that person that you can encourage in life today? What simple words will give someone the drive to say, “I’m ready to face today’s challenges because someone spoke words of life into me.” Never forget Paul’s encouraging words to the church found in I Thessalonians 5: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Don't Just Look Outside
Tami and I decided that we needed a short vacation after she finished a long business trip, and if there’s one thing you can guarantee, it’s that the Bullards always have stories when vacation ends. Well, this vacation does not disappoint. On our way to our final destination, Phoenix, we decided to take a quick side trip to a place we’d never been before. We both enjoy sightseeing and discovering new areas that could lead to a longer stay in the future.
Having never been to this area, I went to the best place I know of to book a hotel room: the internet. In doing my search I ended up choosing a hotel that has a very recognizable name but is not your mega expensive hotel. It had a three-star rating and I figured that we’d only be in the room to sleep and change clothes between activities, so that would be plenty nice. Upon arriving at the hotel I can say that I was pleased with the outside appearance and even walking into the lobby I felt like I had made the right choice. Unfortunately, that’s as far as the feeling of satisfaction was going to go. When we got on the elevator, I became concerned because I could tell the staff had not spent a lot of time keeping it clean. Then walking down the hall I could see wrappers, trash, and a carpet that looked like it hadn’t been vacuumed in days. With my anxiety quickly rising I reached our room and things were not looking any better. I opened the door and my heart sank. I turned to Tami and told her that I’d messed up. Our room was a mess. Carpet with crumbs all over it, disgusting stains, dirty sheets on the bed, walls that looked like they hosted in-room dodge ball tournaments, and to cap it all off we tried to look out the window but it was so dirty that it apparently hadn’t been washed in years. I’ve been in a lot of rooms in my day, including several in third world countries, and this was by far the worst room I had ever entered. I quickly called the front desk to inform them that we could not stay at this hotel. I’ll have to continue my story next week, but let me share with you lessons learned up to this point.
Just because the hotel carried a name that was very recognizable didn’t mean that the hotel was going to be clean. Similarly, just because I was raised in a family that has the reputation of following after Christ doesn’t mean that my life is in order with Christ. The hotel management was responsible for holding the hotel to a high standard just like it’s my decision to live my life in a way that is pleasing to Christ. I can’t be afraid to make the changes to keep my life fresh and on the path God has designed for me. Left unattended, my life will eventually become a spiritual mess. Just as I made the choice not to stay one minute longer in that hotel than I had to, I can also make the choice that I won’t allow my life to go down paths that would hinder my walk with Christ.
What did we do next??? When I called the front desk, I was told our room was guaranteed and no refunds could be given even though we were unhappy with the cleanliness and upkeep of the room. I thought it best to go to the source I used to book the room, so I called and was thrilled to discover that I would have a 45-minute wait for a representative. After a few minutes Tami and I decided that I would keep the call going while we went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. On the elevator ride down I lost the call….ugh! When I called back the wait time had increased to 55 minutes. No big deal, we’d put the phone on speaker and just wait for someone to come on. Finally we heard a voice and I was able to voice my complaint and ask how I could get out of the hotel. I was informed that only the hotel could release me from the room so I’d have to talk to them. After a few minutes of debating I knew I was getting nowhere, so I called the hotel back and asked to speak with a manager. This game of phone ping pong went on for the next two hours and I was still no closer to getting a refund than I was when I began calling. We did check out and moved to another hotel, sure that the money was lost.
The next morning, I again called the third party and I got hold of someone who actually knew what they were doing. They went through my file and were frustrated to find no notes of my previous calls even though it showed I’d called. They assured me that I was not required to stay in a hotel that was unclean. It took about an hour, but in the end I was assured that I would receive a full refund by the end of the day. So, after about 4 ½ hours of being on the phone it looked like things were going to work out. And sure enough, later that afternoon I received an email verifying that the full refund was being returned to our account.
So, what did this experience teach me? First, let Tami book the rooms…lol (just kidding). I believe I had done my research and even the reviews painted the hotel out to be a nice place, so I don’t think I could have done anything different there. What I did learn is that when something is wrong I need to stay calm so that Tami feels assured that everything is going to be fine. I learned that nothing that happens is worth losing my joy and testimony. This was the first night of our vacation, and I determined that whatever happened was not going to ruin my vacation. I believe I treated every person I spoke with respectfully, and even though I disagreed with things they were saying, I discussed those issues in a calm, business-like way. Sitting on the phone was very frustrating and it would have been easy to take it out on the person who answered my call, but that would only make me look like a jerk and cause them to not want to be as helpful. Last of all, stay the course and don’t give up. A couple of times I felt like saying, “Forget it, let’s just lose the money because this is such a hassle,” but I didn’t because I knew we were right. I stayed the course and finally got hold of the right person who knew exactly what needed to be done. Tell me this isn’t the life we live daily in a world of sin. The good news is that Christ has come to set us free from the bondage of having to respond like the world, and we can respond in a new way that brings peace to us and lets our light shine to those we meet. Keep trusting the Lord no matter the circumstances and watch how he will use those circumstances to create growth in your life and impact others for His glory at the same time.
Having never been to this area, I went to the best place I know of to book a hotel room: the internet. In doing my search I ended up choosing a hotel that has a very recognizable name but is not your mega expensive hotel. It had a three-star rating and I figured that we’d only be in the room to sleep and change clothes between activities, so that would be plenty nice. Upon arriving at the hotel I can say that I was pleased with the outside appearance and even walking into the lobby I felt like I had made the right choice. Unfortunately, that’s as far as the feeling of satisfaction was going to go. When we got on the elevator, I became concerned because I could tell the staff had not spent a lot of time keeping it clean. Then walking down the hall I could see wrappers, trash, and a carpet that looked like it hadn’t been vacuumed in days. With my anxiety quickly rising I reached our room and things were not looking any better. I opened the door and my heart sank. I turned to Tami and told her that I’d messed up. Our room was a mess. Carpet with crumbs all over it, disgusting stains, dirty sheets on the bed, walls that looked like they hosted in-room dodge ball tournaments, and to cap it all off we tried to look out the window but it was so dirty that it apparently hadn’t been washed in years. I’ve been in a lot of rooms in my day, including several in third world countries, and this was by far the worst room I had ever entered. I quickly called the front desk to inform them that we could not stay at this hotel. I’ll have to continue my story next week, but let me share with you lessons learned up to this point.
Just because the hotel carried a name that was very recognizable didn’t mean that the hotel was going to be clean. Similarly, just because I was raised in a family that has the reputation of following after Christ doesn’t mean that my life is in order with Christ. The hotel management was responsible for holding the hotel to a high standard just like it’s my decision to live my life in a way that is pleasing to Christ. I can’t be afraid to make the changes to keep my life fresh and on the path God has designed for me. Left unattended, my life will eventually become a spiritual mess. Just as I made the choice not to stay one minute longer in that hotel than I had to, I can also make the choice that I won’t allow my life to go down paths that would hinder my walk with Christ.
What did we do next??? When I called the front desk, I was told our room was guaranteed and no refunds could be given even though we were unhappy with the cleanliness and upkeep of the room. I thought it best to go to the source I used to book the room, so I called and was thrilled to discover that I would have a 45-minute wait for a representative. After a few minutes Tami and I decided that I would keep the call going while we went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. On the elevator ride down I lost the call….ugh! When I called back the wait time had increased to 55 minutes. No big deal, we’d put the phone on speaker and just wait for someone to come on. Finally we heard a voice and I was able to voice my complaint and ask how I could get out of the hotel. I was informed that only the hotel could release me from the room so I’d have to talk to them. After a few minutes of debating I knew I was getting nowhere, so I called the hotel back and asked to speak with a manager. This game of phone ping pong went on for the next two hours and I was still no closer to getting a refund than I was when I began calling. We did check out and moved to another hotel, sure that the money was lost.
The next morning, I again called the third party and I got hold of someone who actually knew what they were doing. They went through my file and were frustrated to find no notes of my previous calls even though it showed I’d called. They assured me that I was not required to stay in a hotel that was unclean. It took about an hour, but in the end I was assured that I would receive a full refund by the end of the day. So, after about 4 ½ hours of being on the phone it looked like things were going to work out. And sure enough, later that afternoon I received an email verifying that the full refund was being returned to our account.
So, what did this experience teach me? First, let Tami book the rooms…lol (just kidding). I believe I had done my research and even the reviews painted the hotel out to be a nice place, so I don’t think I could have done anything different there. What I did learn is that when something is wrong I need to stay calm so that Tami feels assured that everything is going to be fine. I learned that nothing that happens is worth losing my joy and testimony. This was the first night of our vacation, and I determined that whatever happened was not going to ruin my vacation. I believe I treated every person I spoke with respectfully, and even though I disagreed with things they were saying, I discussed those issues in a calm, business-like way. Sitting on the phone was very frustrating and it would have been easy to take it out on the person who answered my call, but that would only make me look like a jerk and cause them to not want to be as helpful. Last of all, stay the course and don’t give up. A couple of times I felt like saying, “Forget it, let’s just lose the money because this is such a hassle,” but I didn’t because I knew we were right. I stayed the course and finally got hold of the right person who knew exactly what needed to be done. Tell me this isn’t the life we live daily in a world of sin. The good news is that Christ has come to set us free from the bondage of having to respond like the world, and we can respond in a new way that brings peace to us and lets our light shine to those we meet. Keep trusting the Lord no matter the circumstances and watch how he will use those circumstances to create growth in your life and impact others for His glory at the same time.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Don't Just Build Sand Castles
In I Thessalonians 5:11 the Bible says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” As we find our summer coming to an end I’m getting really excited about the things that God has in store for ALC in the months to come. As we move forward, I challenge you to remember that we are instructed to encourage and build each other up. One of my favorite places to go, in case you didn’t know, is the beach. I love listening to the water, watching people, and just relaxing. When people-watching you will always find a few who are building things out of the sand. I’ve seen sand castles, forts, a person…whatever you imagine. If a person is talented enough, then it can be built. Just as you have those who love to create works of art in the sand, you have that person that’s sitting on the sidelines just waiting for the right moment to plow through and destroy what’s been created. I’ve seen children in tears because a brother (more often than not) destroyed the masterpiece that was just created.
Paul teaches the church the importance of encouraging one another in our journey with Christ. I can’t tell you how many times I have had somebody offer an encouraging word or a testimony of what God is doing and it builds my faith and encourages me to want to do more for Christ. I want to encourage you to share what God is teaching you with others and offer them words of encouragement. If someone has done something to bless you, then encourage them to keep doing what they are doing. If you know of someone that is going through a tough time, we need to build them up and encourage them so they will know that they are not on this journey alone. Too often, our human nature wants us to look for the bad in others or in circumstances, like the one who wants to destroy that sand castle. Don’t be that type of person but instead let everything you do fulfill what Paul was teaching.
Paul teaches the church the importance of encouraging one another in our journey with Christ. I can’t tell you how many times I have had somebody offer an encouraging word or a testimony of what God is doing and it builds my faith and encourages me to want to do more for Christ. I want to encourage you to share what God is teaching you with others and offer them words of encouragement. If someone has done something to bless you, then encourage them to keep doing what they are doing. If you know of someone that is going through a tough time, we need to build them up and encourage them so they will know that they are not on this journey alone. Too often, our human nature wants us to look for the bad in others or in circumstances, like the one who wants to destroy that sand castle. Don’t be that type of person but instead let everything you do fulfill what Paul was teaching.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Maintaining the Lawn
When Tami and I returned from our trip to South Bend a little over a week ago we were greeted by two days of rain here in the Dallas area. It’s such a rare thing to find it raining in Texas during the summer months. I was thankful for the rain, but the problem I faced was a lawn that hadn’t been cut in over a week. It rained Sunday, Monday, and even on and off on Tuesday. My schedule didn’t allow me the opportunity to get out on Wednesday or Thursday to mow, so when Friday came I knew I had no choice. The good news is the lawn looks great—because of the heat and rain it is in the best shape I’ve seen this far into summer. The bad news is the lawn looks great—because of perfect growing conditions it is exploding with healthy growth. A project that normally would take less than an hour turned into a three-hour project because the grass had grown so much.
Have you ever realized the importance of the daily maintenance of your spiritual life? While it may not seem like a lot because you’re only spending a few minutes in the Bible, or just a short time in prayer, those moments are required to keep your spiritual life vibrant and alive. What I’ve discovered is the world is constantly telling me to live a life that doesn’t line up with the values I desire for my life. I hear every possible reason why I should be able to do whatever I want as long as I’m not hurting anyone else, but that just doesn’t work if I’m going to be complete in Christ. My life, left unattended, will see out of control growth that requires a lot of hard work to get back in balance. I’m thankful today because my yard is back in balance and looking good. I’m also thankful that because of the time I spent in prayer and Bible study my spiritual life is in balance with God’s plan for me. That doesn’t mean an unwanted weed will never pop up or some other issue will never appear, but they are easily removed or corrected because the rest of my life is in order.
We are all in this together and I encourage you to take the time to allow your life to be cultivated daily by the Holy Spirit. Not only will you be blessed but so will everyone who comes across your path.
Have you ever realized the importance of the daily maintenance of your spiritual life? While it may not seem like a lot because you’re only spending a few minutes in the Bible, or just a short time in prayer, those moments are required to keep your spiritual life vibrant and alive. What I’ve discovered is the world is constantly telling me to live a life that doesn’t line up with the values I desire for my life. I hear every possible reason why I should be able to do whatever I want as long as I’m not hurting anyone else, but that just doesn’t work if I’m going to be complete in Christ. My life, left unattended, will see out of control growth that requires a lot of hard work to get back in balance. I’m thankful today because my yard is back in balance and looking good. I’m also thankful that because of the time I spent in prayer and Bible study my spiritual life is in balance with God’s plan for me. That doesn’t mean an unwanted weed will never pop up or some other issue will never appear, but they are easily removed or corrected because the rest of my life is in order.
We are all in this together and I encourage you to take the time to allow your life to be cultivated daily by the Holy Spirit. Not only will you be blessed but so will everyone who comes across your path.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Steps to Spiritual Growth...Baby Style
One of the biggest things I’ve discovered is that people can get discouraged and even want to give up in growing spiritually because they feel like all they do is fail. I was thrilled by the testimony of a young woman who shared with me this last week. She shared how over the past few weeks she has felt more spiritually alive in Christ than ever before. She was glowing with the presence of God in her life and expressing how she had such a hunger to learn so much more. She told me that for the first time she truly felt a relationship with God, which she had never experienced, and she wished everyone could experience the same thing. I was amazed as I sat listening to her share and wondered why so many in the family of God never experience this or the other things that God has planned for their lives. Then I was reminded of what is happening in our family right now.
As you know, we have a beautiful 8-month-old granddaughter who brings joy to our lives every day. Brynley is at the stage of her life where she is ready to crawl. She wants to move forward, but just as any child struggles in figuring it out, she will rock back and forth over and over again. If she’d only realize that picking up one of her hands and moving it forward could be followed up by her other arm and legs. The interesting thing is that soon she will be crawling, and then she’ll be banging her head into something and it will hurt. Or maybe she’ll crawl on a rough surface and scratch up her knees, or here in Texas the surface may be too hot and it’ll burn. As wonderful and painful as some of these experiences may be, they are all part of the development of a baby into a child. Not long after the crawling will be the walking, and is there anything more fearful than watching a child that’s learning to walk? They’re all over the place and so unbalanced, but with time, just as learning to crawl will come, so will walking without looking so unbalanced.
Learning to “Walk in the Spirit” on a daily basis can be so much like the experiences happening in Brynley’s life right now. I have those days when I know what I want to be in God and what I desire to have Him do in my life, but I’m just rocking back and forth because it’s so hard to pick up my hand in faith and move it forward. At times my hand doesn’t come up because I don’t get it yet, but then there are the times when I’m just afraid to release my stability and trust God.
One last thing that I’ve learned: just because I strive to walk daily under the anointing of God doesn’t mean that I don’t make mistakes. I often mess things up and have to regroup and get back to where God wants me to be. God’s not looking for perfection from your life but rather a person hungry and obedient who desires to be everything God has created him or her to be.
As you know, we have a beautiful 8-month-old granddaughter who brings joy to our lives every day. Brynley is at the stage of her life where she is ready to crawl. She wants to move forward, but just as any child struggles in figuring it out, she will rock back and forth over and over again. If she’d only realize that picking up one of her hands and moving it forward could be followed up by her other arm and legs. The interesting thing is that soon she will be crawling, and then she’ll be banging her head into something and it will hurt. Or maybe she’ll crawl on a rough surface and scratch up her knees, or here in Texas the surface may be too hot and it’ll burn. As wonderful and painful as some of these experiences may be, they are all part of the development of a baby into a child. Not long after the crawling will be the walking, and is there anything more fearful than watching a child that’s learning to walk? They’re all over the place and so unbalanced, but with time, just as learning to crawl will come, so will walking without looking so unbalanced.
Learning to “Walk in the Spirit” on a daily basis can be so much like the experiences happening in Brynley’s life right now. I have those days when I know what I want to be in God and what I desire to have Him do in my life, but I’m just rocking back and forth because it’s so hard to pick up my hand in faith and move it forward. At times my hand doesn’t come up because I don’t get it yet, but then there are the times when I’m just afraid to release my stability and trust God.
One last thing that I’ve learned: just because I strive to walk daily under the anointing of God doesn’t mean that I don’t make mistakes. I often mess things up and have to regroup and get back to where God wants me to be. God’s not looking for perfection from your life but rather a person hungry and obedient who desires to be everything God has created him or her to be.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Independence Day
Tomorrow, we will be celebrating the birthday of our wonderful nation, and every year it is a celebration of the freedom that our founding fathers imagined for an upstart country. As I reflect upon their wisdom and knowledge that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, I can’t help but be drawn to what is declared in the last paragraph. It says: “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” Those who founded this country understood that there was a Supreme Judge of the world who would judge them for their actions. Everything they did was with the understanding that God was watching and they would someday give an account for what they were doing.
I love this great country and feel blessed to have been born an American citizen. I also understand that I will give an account for how I have lived my life. That is why I need to weigh every choice and decision I make knowing that I will be held accountable for those actions. When I was a young boy, I had in my life supreme authority. Yes, my mom and dad were that supreme authority, and I knew that my actions would be weighed and I would either be blessed for the choices I’d made or reap the punishment of those choices. I really liked the blessings but also came to understand that the punishment was not to harm me but to get my attention. It would point me back to the direction our family was going and I’d better stay in line with that direction. Thank goodness the punishments didn’t come along very often, but I am the man that was formed during those years of having parents who judged my actions.
As much as I love this great country, my heart grieves when I see those who have gotten away from what our founders intended for us to be. God is now a nuisance and people feel that as long as they are not hurting anyone else they should be permitted to do whatever pleases them. This is the kind of thinking that has led to the breakdown of the family, the killing of innocent children, and the idea that I shouldn’t have to work hard or be held accountable for what I am doing. What we need is a good dosage of God…through prayer, getting into the Bible, and worship we will see our hearts and attitudes change. Take a few moments and pray for our country today!
I love this great country and feel blessed to have been born an American citizen. I also understand that I will give an account for how I have lived my life. That is why I need to weigh every choice and decision I make knowing that I will be held accountable for those actions. When I was a young boy, I had in my life supreme authority. Yes, my mom and dad were that supreme authority, and I knew that my actions would be weighed and I would either be blessed for the choices I’d made or reap the punishment of those choices. I really liked the blessings but also came to understand that the punishment was not to harm me but to get my attention. It would point me back to the direction our family was going and I’d better stay in line with that direction. Thank goodness the punishments didn’t come along very often, but I am the man that was formed during those years of having parents who judged my actions.
As much as I love this great country, my heart grieves when I see those who have gotten away from what our founders intended for us to be. God is now a nuisance and people feel that as long as they are not hurting anyone else they should be permitted to do whatever pleases them. This is the kind of thinking that has led to the breakdown of the family, the killing of innocent children, and the idea that I shouldn’t have to work hard or be held accountable for what I am doing. What we need is a good dosage of God…through prayer, getting into the Bible, and worship we will see our hearts and attitudes change. Take a few moments and pray for our country today!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Working Out....when to do it and when to take a break
This morning, while Tami and I were getting ready for work, she asked me if I thought she could start working out again. For those that have not heard we were involved in a terrible car accident a little over a week ago and our SUV rolled over. Thank the Lord that none of us were seriously injured, but we had sore backs and necks along with a few other minor things. Tami knew that I had started back with my workouts on a limited basis and was ready to get back to the gym. I told her that your body will tell you when it’s ready. She was a little confused by my statement, so I had to explain my answer to her. I told her that you will probably be sore when working out, but if you start and your body really hurts then it’s telling you that now is not the time to do this. She thought about it for a minute and said, “My body is telling me it’s not ready yet!” LOL. So, I told her that she should wait another week and see how she is feeling!
As I was thinking about our conversation this morning, I couldn’t help but think about my spiritual journey and the things I go through. Most of my life has been an easy walk with the Lord where everybody likes me (who doesn’t?), everybody treats me with respect, and they pray for me and support me. During those times it just seems like everything falls into place and it’s so easy to be faithful and serve the Lord with all that I am.
Then there have been the times when a crisis has hit me. The loss of a job, death of a family member or close friend, unexpected debt, or maybe a health issue. These are the times that will test my spiritual fitness and strength. During the initial process it’s so hard to be upbeat, be in the Bible, pray, and maybe even go to church. Yet, unlike my physical body, which tells me to stop because I could do further damage, I need to understand that all of these things are a necessary part of my spiritual healing. Is it easy to do them? Of course not. But these are the systems that God has set in place for my own spiritual wellness. On Tuesday, when I went to the gym for the first time, I did my normal workout and was fine until the last 15 minutes. This is when I do my ab work and my back immediately said, “Stop!” I didn’t do my ab workout because I knew I could injure myself and then it could be months before I’m ready to work out. In the same way, when I hurt spiritually, I know that to neglect being in the Bible, praying, and going to church will only lengthen the time of my healing. It may not be easy and it works totally opposite of how I treat my physical body, but that is the way to find the peace that God has for you.
As I was thinking about our conversation this morning, I couldn’t help but think about my spiritual journey and the things I go through. Most of my life has been an easy walk with the Lord where everybody likes me (who doesn’t?), everybody treats me with respect, and they pray for me and support me. During those times it just seems like everything falls into place and it’s so easy to be faithful and serve the Lord with all that I am.
Then there have been the times when a crisis has hit me. The loss of a job, death of a family member or close friend, unexpected debt, or maybe a health issue. These are the times that will test my spiritual fitness and strength. During the initial process it’s so hard to be upbeat, be in the Bible, pray, and maybe even go to church. Yet, unlike my physical body, which tells me to stop because I could do further damage, I need to understand that all of these things are a necessary part of my spiritual healing. Is it easy to do them? Of course not. But these are the systems that God has set in place for my own spiritual wellness. On Tuesday, when I went to the gym for the first time, I did my normal workout and was fine until the last 15 minutes. This is when I do my ab work and my back immediately said, “Stop!” I didn’t do my ab workout because I knew I could injure myself and then it could be months before I’m ready to work out. In the same way, when I hurt spiritually, I know that to neglect being in the Bible, praying, and going to church will only lengthen the time of my healing. It may not be easy and it works totally opposite of how I treat my physical body, but that is the way to find the peace that God has for you.
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