Friday, May 30, 2014

Five Minute Friday: Nothing

It is time for Five Minute Friday with Lisa Jo and the blogging community. We gather together to write for just five minutes. No over-thinking or over-editing. It is fast and easy blogging, just what this body of mine needs! This week the writing prompt is "nothing."



“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

When it comes to strength and energy, I am lacking. When it comes to physical ability to stand, cook, clean, do laundry, and go shopping, I am lacking. There is much that my body cannot do. Physically, life isn’t particularly comfortable. But as my husband has said, “God cares more about our sanctification than He does about our comfort.”

There is purpose in my health troubles. There is purpose in the various trials I face. In the book of James, God says that “the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” Through the challenges I face with my health, I am learning endurance. I am learning to persevere. I press on so that I will one day be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Maturity and growing in holiness is the goal. For this reason I can count these trials as joy! Though I lack the physical strength and endurance that I desire, my spiritual strength and endurance continue to grow, pressing me on to maturity. And one day when Jesus returns, I will be lacking in nothing.

How is God growing you so that one day you will be mature and complete, lacking in nothing?

Photo Credit: Ed Mitchell

11 comments:

  1. You have such a beautiful outlook on life, being able to see your illness as a blessing. Praying that God continues to strengthen you daily!

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  2. I love that scripture: "that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." So many times I feel I don't measure up, but one day I can be assured I will lack nothing. And you are right - growing in maturity and holiness is the goal. It's so ironic that trials help you make that goal, but at least we don't go through them for nothing!

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  3. Yes and God has put people like you in my life, encourages, real Christians who are like the Good Samaritan. People who, even though broken themselves lead others to God. It is a beautiful thing, in God's eyes, sometimes it is those who have the least, who give and love the most.

    Many will not have time, courage, or a strong enough heart to love others who are afflicted with illness. Well meaning people walk away for various reasons. You Rachel, reach out, being weak yourself to encourage, love and support those of us in weakened states of being. You share with us your faith and journey of ups and downs in being an afflicted Christian.

    It makes me think of Jesus teaching, when I was sick, hungry, thirsty you took care of me. Spiritually speaking, you do that work, it seems like a mission field that you have travelled to thru your illness. To be light in darkness, hope in the midst of confusion and fear...

    As Paul says, the greatest of these is love... Which we will all carry into eternity...Love will always remain...

    Thanks for moulding and blessing us with people like Rachel...


    :-)

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  4. God grows me through my marriage...through parenting...thru friendships and through my work. So pleased to see your blog...a fellow incourage aspiring writer. ..jenn

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  5. Hi Rachel! I am coming over from (in)courage/publishing.
    I really admire your courage. You are facing some real barriers, but have such a great way of seeing that it all has purpose. That takes a lot of spiritual maturity...perseverance, endurance...all true gifts of from God.
    I think God is using my marriage to refine me. It's learning to be constantly listening, loving and sacrificing for someone else. It's hard sometimes! But I hope to have the spirit that you have someday.
    Great to visit!
    Ceil

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  6. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers!

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  7. What a comfort to know that we don't go through trials for nothing!

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  8. Ah, yes, those are all things God works through to shape, refine, and grow us!

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  9. Hi Ceil, thanks so much for stopping by! Yes, marriage does offer wonderful opportunities for growth and refinement!

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  10. Thank you, Corrine, for your encouraging words! I am glad to have met you in this space.

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  11. Hi Corrine, I'm sorry that you have to walk the hard road of physical suffering. It is encouraging to see you standing strong and trusting in God through it all. One day your struggle and your perseverance will be worth it! Keep fighting the good fight.


    It sounds like you had a wonderful example in your father as he suffered through 20 years of MS. What a beautiful testimony of God's grace he must of been!

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