I know you must get tired of hearing this, but I have to say it again, “It never ceases to amaze me how God can take the simplest thing and turn it into a testimony.”
Again, as you have heard me say on more than one occasion, I thank God emphatically every time I take a shower and have the privilege to stand under hot water. The comfort it brings me as it cascades over my much-too-often sore and tender body is priceless. I think if I had to choose between food and hot water, I would strongly consider the hot water. It has become a dire necessity for me.
First off, let me express that I am not shedding emphasis on my woes in life. I am way too blessed to focus one second longer on the negatives than God would require me to in order to bring comfort to others … to bring hope and encourage. Some times in order to share what He spoke to me I have to share a certain portion of my private life. They often go hand-in-hand.
As I stood under the hot water last night, I again thanked Him profusely for the blessing of hot water. When that water is coursing over my body, it is alleviating my aches and pains. I do not have sharp excruciating pain, but more like a continual toothache. If you have ever had a toothache or an earache, then you know exactly what I am referring to. It is like a constant humming that never seems to stop. Except with my body, it is a constant ache which is sometimes tender to the touch. More times than not, and as I continue to work out, it gets better. Last night, however, was just one of those over-the-top evenings where I needed to stand under the hot water for as long as possible because my body was wracked with soreness through and through. It was so bad at times that when the hot water hit specific areas of my body, it hurt. Yes, what was bringing me such great relief to the majority of my body was actually causing more pain in other areas. It was so intense at times that I thought of cutting the water off and calling it a night. Instead I choose to remain under the water despite the pain.
I told myself that if I stood there long enough then the tenderness and pain caused by the water hitting my body would subside and I would again find the relief which hot water afforded me. It was during this persistent time of standing that God spoke to me.
He said, “Janet, just as you are silently standing here under this water … knowing that if you stand here long enough the sun will shine again … is how you must stand during storms in life. Just as you are silently allowing the water to flow over your body, you must silently wait until my still quiet voice ministers to you.”
I was like, “Wow, even now … while I am hurting … God reaches out and speaks to me.” It truly uplifted me and gave me courage to remain standing. How awesome is our God!
God went on to show me a few things during this time. First off, I had the fortitude to remain in that hot water despite the pain because I knew from the past that if I did, then the pain would subside. It was my past trials and His strength in me to overcome them that gave me the persistence and desire to stand strong again. It truly is during the storms in our lives where our spiritual muscles are buffed and strengthened.
Though I was hurting and wanted to bail, I knew from my past storms that if I remained still during the most difficult of times, then I would again see the rainbow after the storm. The winds would cease … the rain would go away … the sun would once again peek through those clouds and shine again. How long this took depended on me and my determination to overcome.
I am encouraging you today to stand strong despite the storms raging against you. Whether it be the loss of a child, the loss of a loved one, a wayward child, financial woes, broken relationships, torn marriages, loss of employment, illness … whatever it may be … know that if you stand strong during the most painful period, you will see His face. This too shall pass and the sun will shine again!
Again, as you have heard me say on more than one occasion, I thank God emphatically every time I take a shower and have the privilege to stand under hot water. The comfort it brings me as it cascades over my much-too-often sore and tender body is priceless. I think if I had to choose between food and hot water, I would strongly consider the hot water. It has become a dire necessity for me.
First off, let me express that I am not shedding emphasis on my woes in life. I am way too blessed to focus one second longer on the negatives than God would require me to in order to bring comfort to others … to bring hope and encourage. Some times in order to share what He spoke to me I have to share a certain portion of my private life. They often go hand-in-hand.
As I stood under the hot water last night, I again thanked Him profusely for the blessing of hot water. When that water is coursing over my body, it is alleviating my aches and pains. I do not have sharp excruciating pain, but more like a continual toothache. If you have ever had a toothache or an earache, then you know exactly what I am referring to. It is like a constant humming that never seems to stop. Except with my body, it is a constant ache which is sometimes tender to the touch. More times than not, and as I continue to work out, it gets better. Last night, however, was just one of those over-the-top evenings where I needed to stand under the hot water for as long as possible because my body was wracked with soreness through and through. It was so bad at times that when the hot water hit specific areas of my body, it hurt. Yes, what was bringing me such great relief to the majority of my body was actually causing more pain in other areas. It was so intense at times that I thought of cutting the water off and calling it a night. Instead I choose to remain under the water despite the pain.
I told myself that if I stood there long enough then the tenderness and pain caused by the water hitting my body would subside and I would again find the relief which hot water afforded me. It was during this persistent time of standing that God spoke to me.
He said, “Janet, just as you are silently standing here under this water … knowing that if you stand here long enough the sun will shine again … is how you must stand during storms in life. Just as you are silently allowing the water to flow over your body, you must silently wait until my still quiet voice ministers to you.”
I was like, “Wow, even now … while I am hurting … God reaches out and speaks to me.” It truly uplifted me and gave me courage to remain standing. How awesome is our God!
God went on to show me a few things during this time. First off, I had the fortitude to remain in that hot water despite the pain because I knew from the past that if I did, then the pain would subside. It was my past trials and His strength in me to overcome them that gave me the persistence and desire to stand strong again. It truly is during the storms in our lives where our spiritual muscles are buffed and strengthened.
Though I was hurting and wanted to bail, I knew from my past storms that if I remained still during the most difficult of times, then I would again see the rainbow after the storm. The winds would cease … the rain would go away … the sun would once again peek through those clouds and shine again. How long this took depended on me and my determination to overcome.
I am encouraging you today to stand strong despite the storms raging against you. Whether it be the loss of a child, the loss of a loved one, a wayward child, financial woes, broken relationships, torn marriages, loss of employment, illness … whatever it may be … know that if you stand strong during the most painful period, you will see His face. This too shall pass and the sun will shine again!
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