Image credit glworker, 123rf.com
Here is California where I live, we are in a constant battle state for water. Usually it is just perfect, California weather with spotless blue skies, and sunshine. I live in a place where it never freezes, and you have to mow the lawn every week and there is always something in bloom to brighten up the yard. BUT, in the months of December through February, you never know what you are going to get. For this is our much-needed rainy season and snow fall measured in feet and hundreds of inches in the Seirra Mountains to supply us with the water we need for all those sunny months.
Our spiritual lives are much like the seasonal fluctuations described above. How does a Christian weather these days, months and sometimes years of unusual weather. But is this unusual weather in our lives?
The answer is NO. John 16:33 says this: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
How do we handle the “troubles in our lives and of this fallen world?”
That’s a fair question and many look elsewhere and everywhere except the Bible for the answers. One thing is you must have a firm foundation of who Jesus is, what the Bible says, and be in a loving church and small group to learn these things and be covered in prayer.
Sounds simple right, maybe not in the eyes, ears, minds, and souls of those struggling with this type of situation. Long ago, it occurred to me that those I coached, mentored, facilitated Bible study groups with struggled to answer these basic questions:
- What do I believe about “simply state what you are struggling with in Christianity, Salvation, the Bible, who Jesus is and so on?”
- Where did my belief come from?
- How do I know if the belief I hold is factual and true?
These are three basic questions a person is faced with when “doubt” creeps into the minds of those seeking truth. God does not deal in the realm of “Doubt,” that is Satan’s realm.
We might take an axiom from the business world to answer these questions. Let’s try it out here.
“I help “X” to “Y” so they can “Z”.
“Jesus helps Sinners to be Saved so they can be forgiven of their sins and live with him in eternity.”
What does it mean to have a firm foundation in order to grow and live, and walk as Jesus walked in our day-to-day lives? I believe the best way to accomplish this is to understand that become a Christian, be saved, and walk as Jesus walked in our lives, we must understand that this is a process.
Yes, the conversion is in many cases immediate for many different reasons, and the growing in Christ and walking here in our lives is a day-to-day process of living, sinning, asking for forgiveness/repenting, receiving forgiveness through God’s grace, and turning and walking again as He walked.
I encourage you to reach out to a local church, to learn more. If you know a Christian, ask to have a meet up and have coffee to find out more. Or you may email me for more information about your struggle to free yourself from sin and I will gladly help you.
Every spring the cold weather and snows melt, even in the high Seirra where I live. That SPRING can sprout a new renewal of life for you too. Just ask.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ~John 3:16
janice@janicebastanicoaching.com
8914 Collina Ct.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
908-229-3797
www.janicebastanicoaching.com
www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/janicebastani
