There is a natural fear that arises when we anticipate enduring difficult periods, especially when it seems like there is no end in sight.
Brace yourselves because Powerzone Ministries' daily devotionals are going to be all about overcoming FEAR! We know that fear can sometimes hold us back from living our best lives, but guess what? Get ready to be inspired, encouraged, and empowered every single day! We're here to support each other and remind ourselves that we are more than conquerors through Christ!
"Similar to a negative in a dark room, one who is filled with the Holy Spirit undergoes a transformative process".
July 18, 2023 By Dr. George Bing
Longsuffering, one of the often neglected fruits of the Spirit, is a quality that people tend to overlook when it comes to nurturing. In our world today, nobody desires to face trials, tests, or any form of traumatic experience. However, we will inevitably encounter hardships during certain seasons of our lives. It's during these challenging times of longsuffering, where patience begins to take form. There is a natural fear that arises when we anticipate enduring difficult periods, especially when it seems like there is no end in sight. Longsuffering, as a fruit of the Spirit, is quite self-explanatory because it requires the seed of patience, which develops over a lifetime. Similar to a negative in a dark room, one who is filled with the Holy Spirit undergoes a transformative process. Compared to the negative, many aspects of our character have not fully developed yet. This is because we have not completed the entire process yet.
Just as photographs are developed in a dark room, God desires for us to journey through the challenges of life alongside others as He carefully develops the picture of patience within us. This process can occur in various aspects of our lives. For instance, it may manifest in the form of a struggling marriage, where both partners find themselves in a dark and uncertain place. It could also be experienced in a stagnant job, where it feels like there is no progress or growth. Additionally, it might even arise from a prolonged legal matter that has consumed a significant portion of our lives.
During these moments of darkness, it may be difficult to see the purpose or the end result. You're in a dark place in life, but when God is through taking you through the development of your patience; you're going to be seen in the light, and what a beautiful picture that's going to be, praise God! The great Psalmist and great King David says “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" (Psalms 23:4-6). Hallelujah! What are your thoughts?
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