Inspiration

“They know the message is true, and sort of believe for a while; but when the hot winds of persecution blow, they lose interest.” 

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talks about the seed that falls in stony ground. He says the stony ground is like those who receive His word with joy, but their roots are shallow. They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow. You can’t become who you were created to be without going through hot winds of testing—times when you feel overwhelmed, when you’re doing the right thing but it’s not improving, when someone does you wrong. That’s not just a random challenge or bad luck; you’re in the hot winds of testing.  

How deep do your roots go? How you respond in the difficult times will determine whether you come out bitter or better. Don’t let the hot winds of testing cause you to fall apart. If you pass the test, keep doing the right thing, keep being good to people, keep letting God fight your battles, because your roots go down deep, God will not only turn it around, but He’ll bring you out better. 

“Father, thank You for the hot winds of testing and using the pressure of challenges to make me stronger and grow me up. Thank You that every test of my faith is preparing me to overcome and persevere, to go higher and increase me. I believe that I am coming out better. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”