Need courage today?
Life can be brutal sometimes. This picture was taken in the Great Fire of 88 in Yellowstone Park. Actually it was taken 2 years later. During the fire however, there was outrage that the park service was letting the forest burn. They were ruining the Yellowstone Park or so it seemed at the time. In fact what the fire did was to open up the dead, sterile, impacted lodgepole forest so light could get through. Where once there was no life in the forest, now there was purpose from the fire. After the fire went through, the ashes became fertilizer and the heat released seeds to start a lush new foundation. The forest burst to life. Grasses and flowers, bushes and trees sprang up, which brought bugs , birds, squirrels and all sorts of life. The big game animals moved in now. There was room to move and life was there. This fire that brought pain, loss and hurt, when opened to the light of the Son (Jesus) brought new beauty that the forest hadn’t seen. It would never have seen it without the fire.
I have asked many times, “Why do you allow the pain Lord?” Over and over He has said, “I endured pain for you my precious one”, “you will endure pain in this world too… for a short time, then I will make all things new and spend an eternity of joy, not pain, with you.” “I love you.” “I’ll be back.”
Until then, we have a race to run, and we will have obstacles and pain. Some will come from the fallen world we live in and some will be from our own foolishness. That’s His plan. The reality is, that there is both hope and purpose in the trials we face. Since it is tough, we must encourage one another all the more since we see the day drawing near. Let us help each other run with endurance the race set for each of us.
Beauty Through Adversity
Encouragement = Infusion of Courage
Encouragement is a specific gift given by the Holy Spirit Rom 12
Paul gave it and Paul needed it. Barnabas was named it.
| Gal 6:9 | Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. |
| Hbr 3:13 | But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. |
| Hbr 10:25 | Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. |
| 1Th 5:14 | And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. |
