Shelter From The StormSample

Squeezed by Life

Just like a fruit that has been twisted until only the misshapen rind is left, the twisting, turning, pressure, and trials of this life will reveal what we’re made of. When we are squeezed by difficult circumstances, what comes out of us reveals our heart.

What is extracted from us while going through life’s struggles is precious to our God. What flows from us might be compassion, a calm trust in God in spite of hardships, deeper understanding of His faithfulness, genuine empathy, forgiveness, patience, humility, or unselfishness. Or what spills out might more closely resemble a spoiled piece of fruit—foul language, doubt, anger, pride, unfaithfulness, rebellion, self-centeredness, resentfulness, or jealousy.

Often the only way for us to know what’s in our heart is for God to squeeze it with circumstances. He already knows what is inside; we are the ones who need to be made aware. He doesn’t reveal the content of our heart to condemn us but to give us the opportunity to humbly ask for His help and to recognize our dependence upon Him.

Prayer for the Day

Lord, sometimes I feel like that misshapen and battered piece of fruit. Help me to keep my focus on You in the midst of all that is pressing in on me. As You gently reveal the contents of my heart, enable the sweetness of Your Spirit to flow through me. In Jesus’s name, amen.