T H E O P H I L U S

I recently had bought my wife an Orchid, something I never really knew about nor had much interest in until we actually owned one. They are often seen as plants that are difficult to bloom and to grow. But really, after a week or so of my wife reading up on them we’ve come to discover they are quite simple to care for, and are practically indestructible plants if cared for properly. What seemed both beautiful and intimidating, proved to be a most rewarding hobby as we witnessed the flowers bloom.

Though life isn’t as simple as that, there are challenges of temptations and obstacles in our lives that seem and even prove to be most difficult. But how do we survive through those temptations in our lives?

James 1:2-5 says:

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

STICK TO WHAT IS GODLY. When times get difficult and at many points in life, just downright tiring, remember to stick to what we know to have integrity and do not compromise your values. Temptations seem most difficult when we are weary and tired. Sometimes our physical and mental exhaustion is unavoidable. It is a part of our everyday life. But this tests our faith. When we face temptations in the midst of our weakest moments, first seek his wisdom (v5). That in itself is a spiritual muscle we must begin to work out. We may fail at times, but we must come back to what is Godly and right. The more we begin to depend on the Lord in such moments, we are able to face it again with more maturity and wisdom the next time around. The more we build the muscles, the easier it is the next time we have to climb the hill. The more we’ve learned to resist temptations and our sinful nature, the more God enables us to have the strength to overcome them when they return for a second fight.

FINISH IT WELL! IT ISN’T AS HARD AS IT SEEMS! If we believe in a God that is bigger than any obstacle we could face, then slap things into perspective. That problem isn’t as hard to deal with as it appears to be. The enemy only wants to make us think that whatever temptation we face is vicious like a wolf. But really, it is only a sheep in wolf’s clothing. The Lord’s authority is much greater than that of the enemy.

Don’t lose heart today, be blessed, be strengthened by the spirit to resist whatever temptations come your way and may you experience His Grace poured out on your heart as you face the battle.