When Faith Keeps Walking with a Limp

Well, howdy there, friend, come right on through the kitchen door and set yourself down on this here ol’ front porch before that ol’ rickety screen starts slappin’ and flappin’ like it’s got a personal grievance. There’s an ol’ blue heron standin’ in the creek bed as solemn as a ol’ deacon at budget meetin’, and an ol’ sow rootin’ under the fence of the hog pen with the determination of somebody lookin’ for the last biscuit at the homecomin’ dinner. Both of ‘em plum remind me of somethin’ important, and that’s that sometimes you just gotta keep right on goin’.

James 1:12 says “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.”  That there means that there’s a blessin’ for the one that patiently endures testin’. Not enjoys it. Not understands it. But endures it.

That there plum matters because trials can sho’-nuff’ make us ask, “Why me, Lord?” We look across the fence, and somebody else’s pasture seems to be a whole lot greener, their family plum healthier, their road downright smoother, and their wagon considerably less squeaky.

But Scripture never promises that faithfulness means we’re gonna be havin’ an easy road.

Paul sho’-nuff’ learned that when he asked God to remove his affliction. Instead, God told him in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Sometimes God changes the circumstance.

Sometimes He strengthens the person walking through it.

And Romans 5:3–4 says that “tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” That there means sufferin’ is never something we have to call good, but God can still be growin’ something mighty good inside us through it all.

Patient endurance ain’t just sittin’ around pretendin’ you ain’t hurtin’. It’s downright trustin’ God while your knees git to shakin’ and then havin’ the trustful gumption to be takin’ the next faithful step anyway.

Father, when life feels heavy, give me grace to endure without growing bitter. Strengthen me when I’m weak, deepen my trust, and use every trial to shape endurance and hope in me. Help me remember that this season is temporary but Your faithfulness is eternal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, there it is! So, git to straightenin’ your hat and head right on toward the rest of the doin’s of your day, friend. An ol’ mule deer may limp through the brush and still make it over the ridge. A lil ’ol’ nuthatch bird can cling upside down to a tree and still know exactly where it’s gonna be headed. You don’t have to look real strong through every mile. You’ve just gotta keep right on leanin’ on the One who is sho’-nuff’ mighty strong.

With joy,

Gwen