Take Up Your CrossSample

The Power of the Spirit

I am what you might call a seasonal exerciser. For most of the year, my muscles go into a state of hibernation as other priorities take over. At some point, my inactivity causes me to reach critical mass, and I know that it is time for me to find my workout videos and get moving again.

One reason I avoid working out is that starting is painful. In order to build new muscle, the old ones must be torn up. When done right, a good workout will cause thousands of microscopic tears to develop in the muscle. These tears hurt and typically cause me to walk around like an old man as I coddle sore muscles. With proper nutrition and rest, the body repairs these tears and new muscle is created. The trick is to work out hard enough to allow for growth without causing actual injury.

In many ways, wilderness experiences are similar. Most of us would be reluctant to enter into a wilderness experience—a time when we experience pain and suffering and temptation and doubt. Times like these are painful and they have a tendency to tear at our spiritual muscle.

In the midst of our struggles, we find ourselves questioning everything. Does God really exist? Why me? Does God really care? Each question forces us to come face to face with our limitations. We have no choice but to rely on God’s strength to get us through.

If we allow ourselves to find rest and nourishment in God, the experience doesn’t break us. Instead, it makes us stronger. We exit the wilderness equipped with new spiritual muscle and often, a new mission.

Ministry opportunities exist on the other side of our wilderness experiences. We are not only better able to relate to the suffering of others and offer compassion, but we have a fresh understanding of God’s power.

After overcoming the wilderness, Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit ready to begin a ministry that would change the world in just three short years.

The next time you find yourself in the wilderness, use it as a time to draw closer to God and build new spiritual muscle.

He might be preparing you for your next ministry assignment.

What have your struggles taught you about God? How might God use your experiences to minister to others?

For more help read, “Finding Comfort in the Midst of Grief” on FamilyLife.com.