“For it is in giving that we receive.” St. Francis of Assisi

Well, it is that time of year again… the season of giving and getting. What will I give? What will I get? Which is your favorite… the giving or the getting? Come on be honest. I can tell that the adult side of you is saying, “Well to give is better than to receive,” all the while deep down inside, you might really prefer getting. Moreover, why not, most of the time getting is fun (especially if it is power tools)! The only problem is that sometimes what someone is “giving” is not something that you wish for or want.

What do you do when someone gives you something undesirable? Bad attitudes, a hurtful look, a snide comment, a push, a shove, maybe even a whack on the side of the head. How do you deal with these kinds of gifts? Do you ignore them? Do you push back? Sometimes when what you receive from someone else is grief or trouble, it is hard to believe the promise given in Romans 8:28. The main problem is that often many view the Christian life as a life free from all adversity. However, a better understanding would be that a Christian is delivered in the midst of adversity, which is something very different. Psalms 91: 9-10 (NLT) states, If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.” It does not say that you will not experience evil. On the contrary, If you are breathing, you will certainly encounter troubles, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. He says, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b) (NLT). Jesus is the one who has overcome and he is saying, “There is nothing for you (or I) to fear.” I like the way Oswald Chambers puts it, “God does not give us overcoming life—He gives us life as we overcome.” It is through the strain of life that a person is able to build his/her strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. You might say that if you never used your muscles they would probably all be jell-o. Using your muscles tones and firms them, and as a result, you are stronger.

So what are you asking for this year? Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. Once you face the strain, He will sustain you with strength (Philippians 4:13). Overcome your own fear and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment—“To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7b) (NLT). God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Seek Him and He will provide all that you need in your moment of struggle.

Thanks for reading.