A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


May 2, 2015

I Grow Weary ... But My Spirit Is Strong!

   
     Like many of you, I look around and there is not much to lift my spirits.  I hardly recognize my country, or the world, for that matter.  I often feel as if I am the only sane person left.  I'm on the outside, looking in at the insane asylum!
     Where I once felt a part of a community of people with common social values and responsibilities, I now find myself marginalized, along with those who reason as I do.  I haven't changed ... the world has!  So how am I (we) to cope?  What are our options?  Do we give in to the cultural war against moral conservatism?  Or do we continue to stand for our beliefs, strengthening those concepts against the rising tide of public opposition and antagonism?
     Let's face it.  It appears as if we are on the losing side in the world's march towards libertine tendencies.  Everything from our politics, to the way we are educating our children, to how we entertain ourselves  -- the world is promoting sex without moral principles and responsibilities, while roundly rejecting accepted religious opinions.  What can I -- one person who expresses herself daily to a small readership -- possibly do to counter the trend towards normalizing immorality?  I don't really think that I am going to be able to change the steamroller that is crushing the foundations of righteous conduct, do I?
     And I will admit that there are days that I feel the weight of trying to fight "the system" and the culture.  I want to retreat and shelter in the shadow of my God and ask Him to just cover me and my loved ones until this all rights itself, or until His Son comes to dispense His Judgment on the wicked ... either one will be fine; I am just tired of being confronted with all the negative headlines and seeing no way out.
     Yet I know that I could never do that.  I am not the only person in the history of the world who was demoralized by what they saw happening around them.  All ancient civilizations have ended up at this point; they lost their moral compass and fractured internally, leaving them vulnerable to dangerous and lethal influences.  It's just my time and my turn.
     So, back to the fundamental question ... what is our strategy to keep from being defeated?  I think we have to come to terms with the fact that we are facing an uphill battle.  Popular sentiment is against us; the courts are certainly against us; and our Churches are not providing much leadership or guidance.  It is up to each and every one of us to strengthen ourselves through the promises that we have been given by our Savior.  We must realize that this life is temporary and our future in this world is compromised at best.
     And if you count yourself as a follower of Jesus, as I do, then why are we surprised, and what do we actually hope to accomplish?  In my mind, it is futile to think we can change things.  Our Holy Book, the Bible, tells us how this is going to play out, and that we are not the winners -- at least as far as this life defines winning.  But Victory is still ours!  And, as the Apostle Paul said, [we are to] "press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward."  You see, it really is "onward and upward" ... and we must stay in the fight, if for no other reason than to encourage fellow Christians who are fearful; or to point the way to the Savior for the blind, the sick of heart, and the lost.  If I can play a part in snatching one soul out of the clutches of Satan, then whatever the future in this world has in store for me will be time and energy well-spent.  I may be weary, but I'm not defeated!

Isaiah 40:29    "He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]."

   
   

11 comments:

  1. Thank you for posting this. So many people believe that Christian's should not be weary. That sll things in our lives should run smoothly without troubles, but the bible tells us of trials and tribulations, our reward is in heaven.

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    1. Yes! We may be weary, but those who wait and hope on the Lord will renew their strength ... and our redemption is nigh.

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  2. As usual, you are right on, Belle ! There are many who read you and agree.

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    1. It is so encouraging to know that others are abiding in His spirit and the Kingdom. Thank for commenting.

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    2. Yes, Belle, you continue to hit every nail on the head! We know from Scripture we ale already on a course which cannot prevail; we know the Church is already overrun with tares. I was reminded yesterday about what Jesus said in Matt 13, "No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest...."

      The wheat is so delicate now and so woven with tares that without bold love, people with instincts like myself will kill all the wheat trying to eradicate the tares. So while we wait, I can love my neighbors like Jesus loves the Church. I can boldly and lovingly defend the truth of God's Word without condemning those who oppose it. I can use Biblical discernment (judgement) to recognize the weeds as well as the tares who look so much like the wheat right now.

      And I can never forget that His saving grace can interrupt and change the course of individual lives (like He continues to do in me).

      We may actually see the real Church be Biblical again as head down this slope. Hang in there and enjoy the shade of His wings; there is joy in perilous times!

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    3. Richard, thank you for this analogy! I know that I will return to it often as I struggle with my own impatience, as well as eagerness, to shine God's light on this dark world. Thanks for the reminder to be Christ-like. In our zealousness to point the way to Yeshua, it is easy to crush the Spirit. God bless you!

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  3. This article is what I call "a God-Thing," as I just finished reading a commentary by Terry James, of Rapture Ready, on his separate site. He spoke of a woman in Australia who was feeling "vexed" by all the lawless things that were occurring, that she had never seen happening before. I am so thankful for this confirmation of his analysis, and what I've been feeling~~~vexed by the almost constant bombardment of lawlessness here in the U.S. The constant coverage of all that was going on in Baltimore had affected me so much that I had to take a break from it as it had caused my BP to become elevated! And, I've never had a problem with my BP. Naturally, we get all our news from Fox, or I'd have a constant problem with my BP, what with the half-truths reported on the MSM. This should give all of us encouragement to continue to fight the good fight, and spend time resting under the shelter of His wings, when we need a refreshing. May God bless all of you!

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  4. What truly beautiful, encouraging, and timely words, Belle. My "strategy" is somewhat like Richard's strategy that he shared, and is found in Romans 12:21, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Every chance I get, I look for ways to encourage others around me, and, not surprising, find my own soul "watered" and refreshed just as God's Word promises. It has helped me to read about the saints in the middle ages, who went through great persecution, and to read their writings and hear their stories, and be able to pray for that same courage and "perseverance of the saints". The same Jesus Christ Who kept them will surely keep us as well. They were able to make the stand that they made not from anything in and of themselves, but from the power of Christ by His grace and Holy Spirit! Jesus is with us to the end of the age! If we look to our own selves and at our puny strength and ability, we grow discouraged, but when we gaze heavenward, "looking unto Jesus", and understanding His matchless worth, His matchless power, His matchless mercy, our faith will be much strengthened. Let us lift our eyes unto the hills, from whence comes our help. Our help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth! Praise the Lord!

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    1. I know that your words have spoken to someone today who needed to hear them! And you are so right ... we are to persevere and through the power and authority of Christ, which resides in us, we can be overcomes. Thank you so much for your amazing encouragement!

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  5. This is exactly what I've been feeling lately. Just tired and weary of this wicked world. I see all the filth, lewdness, greed, and hate all around me and it unsettles my soul. My Bible, christian radio, church, and writers like you are the only things that can sooth my weary soul. Hopefully, we will all go home soon. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! May His grace be with you all. Amen.

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    1. I can hear your weary spirit in your words. But in these times we must all remember the faithfulness of the God we serve. Just as He delivered King David and Job and Daniel and so many other Biblical men and women from their desperate situations, so will He be there for us. He loves us just as much as He did them and we must always turn to Him when our spirits are lowest -- just as they did -- and trust that He hears us and will strengthen us. Our times are no more despairing than theirs and our God is ever present, faithful, and enduring. God bless you!

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