Some personal trainers say that when lifting weights, it’s important to “feel the burn.” For muscle growth and increasing strength, it’s important to push yourself beyond your comfort level by adding a few more pounds to the bar or doing an extra set. If you’ve ever worked out intensely, then you know, this brings a mixture of feelings. You’ve pushed yourself and may feel worn down, but you’re pleased because you’re developing greater endurance. This is what an effective workout does. However, there is a difference between feeling the burn and actual pain. A good trainer will tell you this as well. There’s a difference between pushing yourself beyond your perceived limits and actually hurting yourself. There is a difference between feeling the burn versus a tear, strain, or dislocation.
There are times when God calls you to endure challenging and exhausting situations because He knows your spiritual strength will increase. In our series on Facing Your Pain we have been looking at times where God calls us to extremely difficult things. Yet, there are also situations and people that we must avoid; that God wants us to avoid because He knows that they will damage us. There are times when we should walk alongside difficult people, and other times when we need to walk away from those that are toxic. There are times when God calls us to stay in a difficult situation, like a job where we can shine God’s light in darkness, and there are other times when we need to leave situations that damage our mental and emotional health. But how do we know? Sometimes it’s not always easy to discern what things to stay with and what things to let go of. How do we determine spiritual development versus spiritual damage? These are the times where we must ask God for wisdom. The Bible is clear that God wants to impart His wisdom to you.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5 ESV
Are you in need of wisdom? Well, God has your answer. You don’t have to figure these things out alone. God wants to provide direction for you! All you have to do is ask sincerely, believing that God will provide, with no doubting (James 1:6-8).
Prayer
“Lord, I lift this person/situation up to you. Please give me wisdom on how to handle it. Is this an opportunity for me to endure and bless the situation or is it time to walk away because I’m being damaged?. I trust that you are my good Father, and you will lead me in the way that I should go. Speak to me Lord. In your name Jesus I pray, AMEN”
Meditation Scriptures: James 1:2-8; Matthew 7:7-12
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
Affirmed in Christ 