Spiritual Stamina
Melissa Spoelstra
Today’s Truth
So let’s
not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will
reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up (Galatians 6:9, NLT).
Friend to Friend
Some
days I wonder if it will ever get easier. When we jump over one trial
and just feel our feet adjusting to walking the path again, often a new
hurdle emerges to overcome. I remember a time when life felt just like
that.
For a year and a half our 13 year old daughter had battled
alopecia and finally lost all of her hair. I mean all of it – eyelashes,
eyebrows, arm hair, leg hair. Although I knew many worse diseases
plague the children of other parents, dealing with wigs, handling
sleepovers, and battling fake eyelashes were not the middle school drama
I had anticipated. Yet God showed Himself faithful through every
decision made and tear shed. I had just commented to a friend that it
felt like we were finally adjusting and accepting Abby’s condition.
At
the time, my Bible reading plan had me in 1 Kings with the story of
Elijah on the mountaintop conquering the prophets of Baal and watching
God show up to help and support him. I thanked God for our own climb
from the valley to the mountaintop of blessing. Then my daughter’s
identical twin came to me later that same day and lifted up her hair. A
bald spot stared back at me and I wanted to scream. Of course I held it
together and told her we couldn’t be sure what was happening yet. As the
spot grew bigger and my daughter’s fears escalated over the next few
days, I wanted to cry foul.
Some moments I was full of faith and
hope knowing God would walk us through every step, and other times I
wanted to say, “No. It’s not fair! We’ve had our share of hair loss.
Thank You very much. Let some other parent learn these lessons.”
As
I continued to read Elijah’s story in 1 Kings, I found lessons on
spiritual stamina right on the heels of his mountaintop victory. Right
after God’s amazing display, the queen of Israel, Jezebel, threatened
Elijah’s life. You would think he would have no fear after what he just
witnessed his God perform. Yet Elijah was human. He went out into the
wilderness, sat under a broom tree, and said, “I have had enough, Lord”
(1 Kings 19:4).
As a parent, I can relate to feeling like I have
had enough - whether it’s alopecia, disobedience, sibling scuffles, or a
baby that won’t sleep through the night. Reading through Elijah’s
story, it didn’t seem like Elijah was running from death. He was running
from life. One more problem to face. One more battle to fight. It never
ends. Elijah claimed to be alone, justified in his complaint, and
walked out into the desert to pout. Boy can we relate! Like Elijah we
sometimes want to say, “I have had enough Lord.” When I got the news
about my daughter’s second hair loss, I wanted to be alone to sulk. I
didn’t call my friends or take some time to care for my soul. Then God
used His powerful Word to encourage me. He responded to Elijah’s moping
with these instructions:
Get some rest.
Eat some food.
Go back the way you came.
Find the others who serve me to support you.
God
came to Elijah - not in a windstorm, earthquake, or fire, but in a
still small voice. I was reminded that when an overwhelming problem
rears its head, I needed to take care of myself with food and rest. I
must remember God’s faithfulness through past difficulties and go back
the way I came - trusting Him one day at a time. He also brought to mind
the incredible people in my life who would pray, support, and help me
walk this difficult journey.
We visited the same doctor’s office I
knew all too well, but with a different twin this time. Since that day,
her hair has all come back. She never had to wear wigs and experience
the full extent of her sister’s experience. However, new opportunities
for persevering keep coming in our family’s life, as I’m sure they do in
yours.
So whether you’re facing another day of medical issues,
difficulties at work, or the struggles of marriage or parenting,
remember the lessons from Elijah to take care of yourself, surround
yourself with godly voices, and listen for God’s still small voice.
Let’s Pray
Dear
Lord, sometimes I want to quit like Elijah. Life can seem so amazing at
times but pretty miserable at others. Help me to learn to take care of
myself when trials cause me to feel weary. Help me to understand that my
food, rest, and relationships can be your gifts to help me maintain
stamina in difficult seasons. Give me wisdom to listen for your still
small voice and get my strength from you to persevere through each new
difficulty that comes my way.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.