The Wind

Trials should be expected parts of our Christian experience, for if the world hated Jesus, it will hate us too.

But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Mark 13:11-13

Good wood doesn't grow with ease, the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.

When we learn to trust God during the hard times, it becomes easier to trust Him during the calmer times. Strong winds will either force us to establish our root system or be tossed by the wind. We can either trust God to be our strength and let Him strengthen us or we can try to do it ourselves.

What lies behind you and before you are small matters compared to what lies within you.

What really matters in life is how we develop the deep parts of our life. Our past and our circumstances can influence who we become, but we still get to choose how we will be shaped within the core of our being. When God fortifies our inward parts, we can stand strong no matter what is around us.

If your faith doesn't rule your fear, your fear will rule you.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18). We are either shaped by fear or we are shaped by love. If we decide to let love shape us, fear will become irrelevant to us because love is greater. If we decide to let fear control us, then love will fade away because we will be following what we fear. The winds of life will make us decide what we will allow to control us: fear or love.