Vaccinated

 God tests our faith to build our faith. Trials make us stronger. Think of this as spiritual vaccination.

 Vaccinations work by introducing a small amount of a virus (say a strain of the influenza virus) to the body, triggering the body's immune system response. The body, recognizing the virus as an enemy, a foreign force that shouldn't be there, produces antibodies to battle the virus. In effect, the body is being trained, prepared and schooled  to recognize the flu virus when it comes again in full force outside of the controlled safety of a doctor's office.

Interestingly, the flu virus must be administered yearly. This is, for one, because the body's memory fades, so to speak, and "forgets" how to battle the virus. It is also because the strains of influenza vary from year to year, requiring the appropriate strain to be introduced to the body.

When God allows a trial to be placed on your doorstep it's not a punishment or abandonment. It's because He is preparing you for something greater. He's training you, teaching you, creating an immune response in you, so that when the greater trials come, you'll know how to battle them.

 Greater trials are coming?

 Yes. Greater trials come with greater glory. The more you grow and step into God's plan, the more the enemy will attack your faith. So God, in His mercy, is preparing you now, so that when your greater comes, you'll be able to stand.

 So take encouragement in this. These fiery trials are for your good, from a good God. They should not surprise you; they are to be expected - quite normal. And God will give you seasons of rest. But at the right time, He will bring you through more training, trying, and testing to prepare you for the good plans He has for you. He is a good God and His plans for you are good.
It may be that season of the year for you. Time to get vaccinated.

 (Photographs by H.G. Furcinitti)


Comments

  1. UnknownMay 13, 2014 at 11:37 AM

    Love this analogy, Joe! What a great way to understand trials- as a kind of "holy innoculation!" I am enjoying your blog.
    Deborah Perkins

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
Fixer-Upper I have a soft spot for houses that have potential, or as some people like to call them, fixer uppers. So does my daughter Kaity. She inherited that part of me. I look at a shack and see a mansion. I walk through overgrowth and see a beautiful garden. The viewed as hopeless thrills me; makes my what-could-be senses tingle.   Not everyone looks at a blank canvas and sees a masterpiece. Thank God. I'm grateful for those of us endowed with the gift of planning and practicality; those not afraid to ask the tough questions. This world needs not only dreamers, but anchors as well.  My wife and I recently went to look at a house that Kaity and her husband Paul were considering buying. We drove up the slight hill to the house, turned left (eyeing the neighbor's do not trespass sign) and parked on the property. I think my wife's heart may have sunk a little. My heart soared. She saw the work, the investment required, the dirty kitchen stove. I saw a brand new yard,...
Read more
Image
No More We walk into a store, heading straight for the sale item, holding our coupon; excited to get such a good deal on something we've been wanting for at least a month or more. But when we get there, the item is gone - no more left. It happens often. No more cappuccino muffins at the bakery. No more fresh coffee; it's too close to closing time. No more money to pay the bills. No more, no more, no more. But what if I told you that the two most beautiful words I heard today were "No More"? What if I told you that those words actually bring hope and not disappointment? Freedom and not frustration. Joy and not sadness. Today especially I look to those words. Today they've taken on special meaning and provided strength. Today has caused me to look to those words for hope, freedom, and joy. No more. What did He say? Do you remember? No more sorrow. No more tears. No more loss. No more broken, no more ... For those of us who are the forerunners, who ha...
Read more
An underlying culture exists in America today, a pattern of thought that says, "At all costs, avoid pain." And we, as the church, must take care to not let our understanding of scripture be shaped or influenced by such a world view. For from this culture we have seen such pseudo-spiritual doctrines as "name it and claim it" spring up to entice the body of Christ. We’ve incorrectly divided scriptures such as "By His wounds we are healed" to wrongly mean that we shall never suffer disease of any kind. Yet it was the disease of sin that was defeated on the cross.  Comfort is king in our "now" society and we must take care that we don't adopt that attitude in ourselves. I'm going through a dark night of my soul. Right now in my life. It's uncomfortable, and I want it to end. And I suppose that my desire for comfort, release, and escape goes beyond just the cultural norm of today. Our human nature doesn't embrace suffering. Understan...
Read more