Yesterday we talked about tough times being the number one indicator of one’s spiritual location.
You can click here to catch up.
Today, I want to tell you how.
It’s simple really. Tough times apply pressure. The tougher the circumstance, the greater the pressure. You put enough pressure against most people and they will eventually move—advance or fall back. But there absolutely will be movement—one direction or the other.
The key is to keep moving forward—keep letting trials refine you and shape you into the image of Christ. But that’s another series for another time. This series is about identification—locating one’s current spiritual position. Trials and tribulations can help do that.
Trials and tests locate a person. In other words, they determine where you are spiritually. They reveal the true condition of your heart. How you react under pressure is how the real you reacts — John Bevere —
Think of the parable that Jesus told about the wise man building his house upon the rock. Here it is in case you don’t remember it,
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24–27
What happen to the location of the wise man’s house?
Nothing. It stood firm because it was rooted in Christ Jesus.
And the foolish man?
Changed locations.
-
Blown away
-
Gave up
-
Ran
-
Changed churches
-
Dumped his spouse
-
switched parties
You name it. But don’t miss the main point. The foolish, immature, unrooted individual was easily moved. Let’s take another look at what John Bevere says about this…
“Be sure that you build your life on God’s revealed Word, not what others say. Keep seeking the Lord and listening to your heart. Don’t do or say things just because everyone else does. Seek Him…”
Nough to think about for one day?