AnDrea Watkins shares these great spiritual messages with me via email that are always timely. It feels as if these messages are a by product of thoughts that I reflect on. As we all take moments to reflect in life, I'd like to share a really great message that really added a spark to my day. I will testify on this in the near future. Enjoy.
Today's message was encouraging and enlightening. Taken from Isaiah 40:29, it speaks about the strength that the Lord increases within you...to make you strong enough to endure and overcome any challenge. I was tremendously blessed by this word because it really reminded me of the many things throughout my life that God has brought me through. But, He didn't just allow me to skate through...He allowed my spirit to be shapened and toughened...so that I can proceed through life with more wisdom, patience, and determination.
I tend to think of a walk with the Lord like boot camp. The moment you reach the point in life where you decide to live for God...training begins. It seems almost immediately, you are faced with tests. You're jumping hurdles, running laps, pushing up and down, crunching...all the while...someone is breathing down your neck, questioning your dedication. Are you strong enough soldier? Will keep the course? Will you give up? It is in boot camp where a soldier's resolve is tested and strengthened. Before you can be trusted to go out into the battle zone, you must be given the tools to win the fight.
The same is true in the things of God. When you are going through a storm...think of it as your boot camp. Utilize your tools...pray harder, fast longer, praise louder. When that enemy is breathing down your neck...read more, confess more, give more. You see, you are in boot camp...you are being prepared for the fight. (Joshua 10:25). You are being prepared to win the battle. You are being prepared to live victoriously. You will better appreciate wealth...after you've been in a financial bind...yet had the dedication to keep tithing and giving cheerfully. (2Corinthians 9:7). You will better appreciate a relationship...after you've experienced heartache...yet continued to seek God's heart and God's love. (Psalms 37:4). You will better appreciate a new job/position if you know what it is to be dissatisfied with a job description or discouraging manager. (Psalms 75:5-7). You will better appreciate your life...once you've endured a few hard times...yet watched the Lord bring you out. You see, your tests are preparing you for your testimony. If you are going through something right now...know that it is simply boot camp. You're being trained to fight and win. So...gone on out there...and win.
I love you all,
Drea
Would you like to read more from AnDrea? Please read Living Breakthrough Minded by AnDrea Watkins.
