The Pain Of Perfection

Monday, August 3

Mark 6:45-50 (ESV)

“Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Devoción

Physical pain can bring the strongest man down to vulnerable places. The human body can only handle so much pressure, tension, or decay before it seems impossible to return to its original form. People go through physical pain in bursts. They experience chronic pain or pain that naturally ebbs and flows with aging.

A believer in Christ might consider their pain a storm or tribulation that tests our faith. When our bodies fail or refuse to cooperate, we struggle to maintain the habits and routines we once had—the ones that make us feel Christian. It causes us to reevaluate how we go to the Lord in these seasons. Reading may not be a luxury we have during times of pain. Singing and praising may feel practically impossible.

In our storms of perfecting, we still turn to our God in faith, believing that He will bring healing. He doesn't sit across the room silently watching our discomfort. He sits at our bedside. He wipes the sweat from our brow. His hand gently steadies ours, fully attentive to every beat of our hearts. 

As we continue to turn toward Him, even if that looks different during a season of physical ailment, He adores this worship just the same.

And remember, when the disciples were in physical distress, they called out to Him, and He came right to them. Allow this season to slow you down, turn you toward Him, and show Him that you seek His rest. He may be calling you to rest in this season, even constraining you to it. We know that it will all be for our good in the end.

"Rest is a weapon given to us by God." — Elizabeth Elliot

Oración de hoy

Querido Padre Celestial, 

I will trust You in the storm. When I don’t always understand what is happening around me or why, I will praise You anyway because I know You are greater than all of this. Help me to see You at work in my life and to rest in Your love for me. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Aplíquelo hoy mismo

For whatever you are going through right now, you can find peace today in the midst of the storm. Purpose to intentionally focus on Jesus and what He has said to you in His Word. His presence will become more evident, and His peace more prevalent throughout your day.

Recursos

• If you're walking through a difficult season, this message is for you. Watch “Why This Storm”, and be encouraged by God's faithfulness through every trial.

• Download this week’s wallpaper and be reminded that Jesus is with you, bringing you through every season. Wallpaper