What a Seed Can Teach Us About Trials

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Luke 8:15


Have you ever had a vegetable garden? We usually have a little one where we experiment with a few vegetables and herbs. Some years are more productive than others. With the tomatoes, peppers and herbs, we typically begin with starter plants. For the rest, we begin with seed.

If you aren't familiar with planting a seed, the first step is to poke a shallow hole in the ground. Next you place the seed into the hole and cover it completely with dirt. The final step is to water it well. A new seed requires damp soil to germinate so, at least here in Texas,  you need to water it frequently.   If the conditions are right and the seed healthy, it will generally germinate within two weeks for most vegetables. The seed breaks open and a shoot of new life begins to grow. In time, you'll have a harvest of goodness for your table.

 From the seed's perspective, this is a time of great trial. It sits all alone in darkness where it is broken by flood waters. Just when all appears lost, something miraculous happens. It begins to grow. The seed is transformed, growing into the perfect plant it was always intended to be. 

The next time you're hurting, consider the seed. Could your trial be the very thing needed to help you grow more fully into the perfect person God created you to be? 


Message for the Journey:
Do you feel like the seed, alone in the darkness, broken by the flood waters of life? Don't despair; have faith.  God is right there with you. In His time, He will turn your mourning into laughter and bring a harvest of abundance to your life. 

“The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people."  
 Zachariah 8:12

©AnnWilds2011

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It All Depends On Your Standards


“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Matt. 25:23



I stopped to catch my breath during my run Saturday morning. As I paused, my eyes were captured by the way light and shadow danced off the varied shapes of leaves in the woods along the road, then by a group of squirrels that ran by playing chase across the top of the fence. Their antics caused me to laugh out loud while my ears enjoyed the melodies of multiple songbirds. In that moment, I basked in the beauty around me and marveled at the creativity of the Father.

Diversity in Nature

There is such diversity in nature, even just in our neighborhood- from the buck crossing the road, the rabbit that nibbles our grass in the early morning, the tiny hummingbirds that zoom across the yard, to the assorted birds- titmouse, chickadee, cardinal, and woodpeckers- that eat at our feeders all day. Yet, of all the diversity in the animal kingdom, only we humans hesitate to use our talents and gifts out of fear of comparison. We doubt that we are enough.

Does the squirrel doubt it's worth because it's a stay in the woods small creature that simply gathers nuts? Does a sparrow hide it's song because it doesn't sing with the range of a mocking bird? Does the worm refuse to crawl from its hole because it lacks beauty? No, they have no fear. The squirrels play and gather with abandon. Each bird sings their unique song with joy. Why? Because they don't hear the words of the enemy whispering doubt and insecurity. Their hearts are tuned to only the Creator.

Gifts from a Father
 
Each of us has been given gifts, talents and skills of various kinds. The world may value some abilities more than others, but God doesn't. Yours may not be the ones you desire or perhaps you weren't given as much of one as someone else. It's not our choice what gifts the Father bestows on His children; it's only His. Each is given to us specifically and is intended to be used--to help others for the good of the kingdom. Even if we don't understand their value, God wants us to use them in obedience- without excuse and without comparison. 

God first called me to write a pre-teen Bible study. My initial yes was immediately replaced with doubt and hesitation. Questions of, "Who am I to write about God's word?", "For what purpose would I be called to write?", "Who would ever want to read it?", "What will I do with it?", ran through my mind as I resisted. But I would pray and yield--somewhat. I wrote most of it and shared it as I wrote, with my then pre-teen daughter. I began to believe that our talks together were the purpose for writing it.

But over time He continued to call me, like someone pulling on your shirt tail- a gentle but persistent call to write more.  But I didn't know what to write, how to go about writing or why or....and then a funny thing happened. After years of pretending not to hear, I finally yielded fully and embraced His call. I came to realize that it's not my place, nor is it necessary for me, to understand the plan or purpose. My job is simply to write in obedience, as well as I can, and to make it available to be read. God's job is results. He will lead those who He wants to my words. I'll write until I feel led to stop. Is my calling to write for millions or only a handful? Only God knows. I have no expectations. My purpose may have been fulfilled simply in your reading these words today. Perhaps they were the words you needed to read to do something that will truly make a difference. 

Embrace Your Diversity

God could have simply created one type of every needed species, but He didn't. He had a greater purpose. He created you with a greater purpose, too. It's one only you can fill. Only you have your unique view of life and combinations of experience and talents. Someone else can do the job, but never the exact same way as you. Embrace your diversity.  If you sing, sing out loud. If you crunch numbers, do so with joy. If you write, write with abandon. If you love on people, love unrestrained. If you build buildings, do it with passion. Whatever you do, consider it a work of God.  Don't worry about other people, just do your best with what God has given you.


Message for the Journey:


Don't be afraid to use the abilities you have. They are there for a reason. And when you do, should you find yourself tempted to compare your performance, check to see which standard you're using. It's the world that asks, "What results have you achieved?" but God asks, "Were you obedient to my ways?". Don't listen to the enemy. Tune your heart to hear only the words of the Creator. 


Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Galatians 6:4-5 Msg.


©AnnWilds2011
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Breath of Life

the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7

Breathing is something we do without thinking. In fact, it comes so automatically that we rarely pay it any attention at all. Yet, it’s the very source of life.


When we inhale, oxygen is drawn into our lungs then distributed to the rest of our body. Eighty percent of the blood vessels used to take in oxygen are located in the lower portion of our lungs, yet many of us fail to breathe in a way that fully sustains our system. Studies of cardiac patients find nearly 100% are shallow breathers. The less oxygen our organs receive the harder they have to work. To make matters worse, when we are under stress we breathe even less effectively.


Try this:
  • Pick two points on the far side of the room, one on the right and one on the left. Got them? On the count of 1 shift your eyes to the left point and on 2 shift your eyes to the right point. Repeat this for seven counts of 1 & 2. Ready? Go!

How’d you do? It may not have been a difficult task but did you notice what happened to your breathing? If you’re like most people, you held your breath; it’s the common response when we concentrate on a task.


Under stress our mind reacts as if under attack, automatically preparing our body to either run or fight. This once served us well, but in modern times the danger is much less physical than emotional. Unfortunately, our body’s response is the same, diverting oxygen from less important areas while sending it to those needed to evade the danger. Interestingly, this includes diverting oxygen from the brain- the very thing needed to remain calm.


A useful tool to help manage stress is to learn abdominal diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing for short. Rest one hand on your stomach and breathe in slowly. As you do, breathe in deeply enough to raise the hand as you inhale and lower it as you exhale. Master this skill and you’ll have a simple but effective tool to lower your stress response.


Mother was right; a few deep breaths when you're upset really can calm you down.




Message for the Journey: 

When you find yourself in one of life' stressful situations, what happens with your breathing can often determine how well you manage the situation. Breathe in deeply- taking in God’s love and peace - while exhaling the tension and strife.  You'll be better prepared to remain in His joy as you face the next step along your journey.



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How to Avoid the Sticky Sweetness of Sin

I have a confession to make. Actually, it’s not much of a confession if you know me well. But for those that don’t- I have a sweet tooth. It’s not a normal, adult sweet tooth. It doesn’t want dessert or decadent chocolates. No, my sweet-tooth never grew up. It likes candy, especially sugary, gummy candy. If a little kid likes it, chances are my sweet tooth will like it too. Curse you, Peachie-O’s.

Eating too much of my favorite candy may give me a stomach ache or add a few inches to my waist line, but kept in moderation there’s no real danger. But there is a kind that causes harm with the very first bite. It doesn’t look dangerous on the outside; in fact, it’s quite pleasing to the eye. That’s what draws us in. We see no labels to warn us, so we yield to its tantalizing aroma.

Sin often comes disguised as candy- sweet morsels that in the moment bring us pleasure. But inside the candy shell is only poison. Both tasteless and odorless, it raises no alarm as it seeps into our hearts and minds. If not for its sugar coating, we wouldn’t be tempted by sin.

My husband isn’t enticed by my favorite candy, but he loves chocolate- the darker the better. Just as my husband and I don’t share the same sweet tooth, we don’t all share the same sin weakness. But we all share a weakness for sin. We receive a new heart upon salvation that hungers to do only the will of God, but our flesh retains the selfish tendency to rebel against God’s ways.

The sweet aroma of sin will always be an enticement while we remain on earth. Knowing something is a sin doesn't stop our sweet tooth from craving its temporary pleasure. It's a weakness the enemy knows and exploits. He tempts us with the very things he knows to be our sin weakness.

God warns us to be vigilant and ever-ready for attack; sin is crouching at the door wanting to consume us. Yet, He also promises for every temptation we'll be given a way out-if we seek it. The secret is recognizing it quickly for what it really is and taking the right action before it's hypnotic sweetness dulls our conscience. Often, I fail but when I pass the test it's because of these actions:


Admit You Are Powerless-
Alone we lack the power to conquer the temptation to sin. We need a deliverer with limitless power. Don't attempt to try to handle it alone. Give up looking to your own strength and cry out in surrender. Ask for His power to give you a way out.

Remember Who You Are-
The real you is not your flesh; that is a false echo of your former self. Your true identity- who you were created to be- came with your new heart. When under attack, remind yourself of who and whose you are. Speak the words.

Establish Boundaries in Advance-
To maintain sobriety, a recovering alcoholic refrains from spending time in bars. As a recovering sinner, refrain from the things that typically cause you to fall. Establish boundaries of where, what, and with who you will or won’t do things in advance and stick to them. In battle, the best offense is a good defense.

Seek Out an Accountability Partner-
We're more likely to change engrained behavior when we have an accountability partner, someone who will both encourage and challenge us. The process of sharing our commitment to change motivates us to follow through. And the act of confessing our failure propels us to a higher level of commitment. We can try to fool ourselves but a good accountability partner will see right through us and lovingly kick us in the pants.


Don't become complacent with sin. It’s appealing to convince ourselves that if our sin weakness isn’t an obvious sin like adultery, murder, or theft, we no longer have a problem with it. Yet, that's nothing but self deception. Simply because our sin is not readily apparent doesn’t mean its non-existent. God’s word is clear; all sin- whether big or little in human eyes- separates us from God. It blocks our relationship with the Father and hinders our growth to becoming the person He intended us to be.



Message for the Journey:
It takes a continual process of self-examination, confession, and repentance to keep our walk with God pure. Sin is always crouching at the door waiting for a chance to come into our lives. We will fall but when we do, if we confess and repent, we will always receive God’s mercy.



The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13




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When Words Become Weapons

Oops, I did it again. No, I'm not singing a pop song. Once again, I've used words as weapons and hurt someone. Oh, my flesh says it was justified but the Spirit says it doesn't matter. As a believer, I'm called to a higher standard. But this is one I fail at time and time again. Do you too, struggle with controlling your tongue?

The familiar childhood rhyme, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" isn't true. Words may not break bones,but they do cause wounds- sometimes very deep, lasting ones.


There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.” The little boy then understood how powerful his words were. He looked up at his father and said, “I hope you can forgive me for the holes I put in you.” “Of course I can,” said the father. (author unknown)



How often do we drive nails into the emotional flesh of our loved ones? Sometimes it occurs from carelessness, a thoughtless word that hurts their esteem. But more often, it happens when we allow ourselves to become upset. In anger, we lash out and nail them to the wall.


If I'm brutally honest, I don't just carry a hammer in my tool belt. I have a nail gun, as well. With it I can rapid fire nails at high speeds. It's what I instinctively grab to return fire when a loved one wounds me with a nail of their own. Even before my brain has processed the emotion, my hair trigger nail gun is firing in rapid succession. It's human nature to lash out when we are wounded, to hurt the other person. But it's not healthy for the relationship nor is it the way God has called us to respond. We're admonished to "turn the other check" not "return fire'.


There's a saying in customer service training, "when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". If the only tool in our toolbox is force, than it's what we use when conflict arises. The same holds true in our personal lives. Increasing peace in relationships and interactions requires intentionality. To become a better peacemaker, I need to consciously put the safety on my nail gun and load my tool box with better tools.


* Check Your Heart

At the first sign of inner tension, check your heart to see what it's focused on. Centered on yourself, your words will reflect the feelings of your flesh. Centered on the relationship, they'll reflect love and concern. As Jesus says in Matthew 12:34, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."


* Practice Makes Perfect

Rehearse in your mind how you'll respond the next time. If we can imagine ourselves successfully changing our behavior, we are more likely to follow through on that behavior in every day life. Visualization helps you think your way into new ways of acting and being.


* Shut Your Mouth- Literally

To help me hold my tongue, sometimes I have to pretend my jaws are wired shut. If I can just keep my physical mouth from opening, my heart and brain will have time to respond first. Proverbs 15:28 teaches us to think first, then speak. "The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words."

* Ignore What You Can

Certainly there are things that need to be addressed, but most offenses are minor and can be easily overlooked. Consider if the transgression is worth the risk of damaging the person and the relationship. Proverbs 19:11 teaches, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."


* Fill Your Mind with Incompatible Thoughts

It's impossible to lash out while your mind is focused on a scripture verse or song of praise. Prepare one in advance that you'll recite in your head when in the midst of conflict. Fill your own mind with peace and your words will follow.



Proverbs 10:19 tells us, "When words are many, sin is not absent." It's probably not realistic for me to to become a person of few words. After all, in elementary school I developed a knack for quickly filling a sheet of paper with the words "I will not talk in class" for a reason. Instead I focus on the prayer of Proverbs 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer."





Message for the Journey:

Words spoken in haste can wound like nails driven into a board. Help to protect your relationships by ensuring that your toolbox holds more than just a hammer.



The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 
Proverbs 18:21
                                                                 
©AnnWilds2011




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If you aren't a subscriber, I'd love to welcome you to the Lessons for the Journey community. Receive a free copy of The Uncut Diamond e-book when you subscribe.