Today in my devotions I read this, "Suffering is a wonderful fertilizer for the roots of character. The great objective of this life is character, for it is the only thing we can carry with us into eternity. And gaining as much of the highest character possible is the purpose of our trials." Austin Phelps
My hobby of gardening has been pushed aside this past year. Because I have not been able to be out there to tend to my flowers I noticed they are struggling. They are in need of some water, fertilizer and attention from the only gardener in the family-ME. I have neglected my garden because I have been under the care of the Master Gardener this past year. He has been pruning things out of my life that do not bring Him glory or reflect his image. He has been fertilizing me with pain and suffering so that I can show His beauty through my life. He has showered affliction upon me so my roots will grow deeper into His word.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Jeremiah 17:7, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him, He will be like a tree planted by the water that send out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
I pray you will trust God no matter how much heat and drought comes your way. Put your confidence in God, not your circumstances. Don't worry about your future, God isn't. Bear fruit each and every day. Let God use all your trials to build character into your life. Drink deeply of His word. Let His life sustain yours. The Master Gardener is at work.
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2 comments:
Guess what I've been imagining these past two weeks? Fertilizer is good for growing strong trees! Had a bunch dumped on me a week ago.
It goes to show that we must prepare ourselves each morning before heading out the door: don't know what will happen this day!!! Don't let a surprize weaken you.
A great reminder that the power in our lives does not result from our own 'grinding it out' but in letting the vacuum of our weakness be filled with His power. We are only required to yield, and yield completely. Great words Linn, thank you.
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