Have you ever noticed that various types of flowers grow in only specific areas around the world? Whether you are hiking in North America, trekking across the Sahara on camelback or biking along an Island shoreline off the coast of Thailand, natural beauty is present all across the globe. Some flowers require lots of sunlight, others require certain nutrients within the soil and others still, nearly freezing conditions to thrive. Yet, regardless of the area, one element is needed for the growth of any bloom; water.
Much like these varied flora from around the world, we too grow in “rainy seasons”. We may not be able to see it ourselves, but if we are pressing our roots further and further into the Lord as the rain continues to pound down on our lives, others will notice a change within us. And as a result of gaining nutrients from the Word of God, the Holy Bible, within hard times, we will continue to grow stronger and more firmly planted upon the Lord despite the challenges.
“The righteous thrive like a palm tree and grow like a cedar tree in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, they thrive in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green, to declare: “The LORD is just; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Psalm 92:12-15 (HCSB)
There is an old hymn that boldly states “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand”. This was in reference to the parable of the two men building a house; one on a sandy foundation and the other on a solid foundation. And although uncomfortable at time, Ladies, if we are not willing to allow the rains to fall upon our lives, we will not be able to see where the “leaks” or weak points are in the construction of our house of faith. It isn’t in good weather, but in bad weather that many problems begin to show themselves as water puts various elements of the house to the test. Stop and think about that for a moment, what potential benefit could be coming out of the dreary rain falling upon your house of faith? The Bible assures us that we have been given all that is necessary to walk out a truly successful and productive live; regardless of where we are planted.
“May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” 2 Peter 1:2-7 (HCSB)
Often times we pity someone going through “hard times” when in fact we should find reasons to encourage them in their season of potential growth. For, it could very well be a blessing from the Lord above, as various elements are brought together for opportune conditions to produce beautiful blossoms and blooms within their character. At such times, a person may struggle with feelings of inadequacy, loneliness and steep mountains of overwhelming odds. But, if we are willing to claim this guidance from 2 Peter 1:2-7, we will be much better off than if we simply sit around and allow our emotions to get the best of us and allow the weeds of bitterness and resentment to grow. Ladies, we have been given everything necessary to fulfill the work given to us…everything! Claim it. It’s right there in black and white! Oh, the beauty of knowing our Bibles is that we can encourage our own hearts with the refreshing truths of God’s Holy Word, even when others don’t know what to say to us in the moment of great need.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song.” Psalm 28:7 (HCSB)
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 62:8 (HCSB)
Take a moment to find a pen and something to write this next phrase on: Through the power of God, I WILL grow closer to the Lord as I rely on Him and praise Him through this trial (Psalm 5:4). Now, place your reminder somewhere that will be seen by yourself frequently…and allow the truth of God’s Holy Word to encourage your heart amidst the present chaos. For, just as the Scriptures say, God is the ready refuge and salvation for all who have called upon Him and trust in Him.
When faced with a hardship that brings about pain and suffering within ourselves or those we love, it is up to us to decide how we will respond. Will we respond out of panic and fear? Or, will we come honestly before the Lord and leave our worries at the feet of Jesus (1 Peter 5:7)? The more time we spend quieted before the Lord in the midst of trials and storms, the more rooted in the promises of God’s Word our hearts and reactions will be.
“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (HCSB)
Allow today to be a new day. Allow today to be the day you lay your burdens down and in it’s place, pick up the promises of God’s Word. We are not going to give up, Ladies! Far from it. Growing seasons are opportunities to showcase the glory of God amidst hardship as we declare with boldness that there is no unrighteousness in the Lord Almighty and He is trustworthy in all His ways. The time is now, Ladies. May we be a generation of women who are willing to bloom where we have been planted for the Lord’s glory and our further growth.
“Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory. Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 (HCSB)
Blooming Beauty 