Blessing in the Hardship

Thus says the LORD:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man

and makes flesh his strength,

whose heart turns away from the LORD.

He is like a shrub in the desert,

and shall not see any good come.

He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,

in an uninhabited salt land.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose trust is the LORD.

He is like a tree planted by water,

that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately sick;

who can understand it?

“I the LORD search the heart

and test the mind,

to give every man according to his ways,

according to the fruit of his deeds.”

(Jeremiah 17:5-10 ESV)

This passage kept coming to my mind today as I prayed for strength. It has been an interesting morning here in Muncie, Indiana. It all started out as a pretty normal day. Wake up, get ready, and just kind of relaxing until my phone rang and today was completely thrown up in the air. It is funny how things work out in life. Right when you have things going on and you have no time, something is thrown your way. It seems like it always happens that way. Today was one of those days. However, I sit here and am just blessed by the obstacles more than I am brought down. God reminds me that if I trust him in this, then I need not worry. I will not die out and I will not wither, but I will grow and live long. 

Ministry in the inner city keeps getting more interesting as the days go on. Someone else has moved into the house today. This time someone I know and it is much better than when someone lived in the house last. However, I know that this means that means that the attacks are well on its way. I know that there will be times when I will need strength. And I know that there will be times that I want to give up and turn around. I know that I will want to back out at times and throw in the towel. However, I know that my strength cannot come from myself. It cannot come from those around me. It cannot come from any one person, but it can only come from God. I know that my heart will deceive me when I am not in constant communication with God. The truth is that I have no fear, I am diving into this head first and I am ready to see what happens. I am ready to be tested and tried and I am ready to fight the battle.