This is a summer of parchingly high temperatures, punctuated by torrential rain. Even with irrigation, sections of lawn appear dry beyond recovery, and then, comes the rain.
Often, we experience seasons when we feel parched, exhausted and disheartened by life circumstances.
Following are reflections on thriving in a parched world:
Sustenance
In the last days of my mother’s life, she stopped eating and drinking. Numerous times each day, I held a straw to her mouth and encouraged her to drink or coaxed her to open her mouth for a spoonful of broth, but she clamped her lips tightly and turned away. Life-sustaining water and nourishment were available, within inches, yet she refused to accept them.
Although many pride themselves on being self-sufficient, we all need sources of sustenance unrelated to physical nourishment. We thrive when we have those in our lives who speak wisdom and help us gain perspective when ours is skewed.
We advance mentally and creatively through interaction with others, personal learning and reflection, and the discovery of sources of joy and inspiration. Spiritual nourishment balances our lives and sustains our souls.
Spiritual nourishment balances our lives and sustains our souls. Share on X” username=”CandyArrington”]
Grow
It only takes a few hours of intense heat and direct sunlight for plants to wilt and wither. After watering, you can see leaves and flowers slowly lift and revive. The same growth-producing qualities of water occur when we challenge ourselves mentally.
A willingness to grow, to stretch beyond what is easy and familiar, encourages forward motion, propels us onward, and prevents disconnection. While growth requires determination, the effort brings big rewards.
Clean and Refresh
On a hot day, water is the best thirst-quenching source. After working hard in the heat, a cleansing shower relaxes and refreshes.
Perhaps there are areas in your life that could benefit from cleansing. Do you need to come clean about hidden vices that require falsehoods to keep them under wraps? Are you lying to yourself about how your actions affect those around you, or the detrimental impact of your lifestyle on your health?
When I prepared my childhood home for sale, I saw areas of deferred maintenance, things that were easy to ignore because they didn’t seem to be urgent enough to warrant the expenditure. But little things add up, and suddenly, you are faced with a task that seems insurmountable.
Tending regularly to areas in our lives that need attention lessens the stress of facing and tackling a task of much bigger proportions later.
Power Through
Long ago, humans learned to capture and use the motion of rushing, falling water to power devices to aid in everyday life. However, if we are wise, we respect the power of water.
Currents in rivers and the ocean are greater than our own physical strength. Flooding from heavy rains, tornadoes, or hurricanes produce massive destruction so we need to be aware of the power and force of water.
The prophet Isaiah equated life difficulties to deep water. If you feel you are in over your head, exhausted and barely able to continue treading water because of job loss, financial hardship, a medical diagnosis, a death, divorce, or the uncertainties of life, remember, God is available, a source of rescue. And there are those who are willing to be “God with skin on” to you, providing encouragement and support to enable you to power through deep waters and strong currents to safely reach shore.
If you feel you are in over your head, exhausted and barely able to continue treading water, remember, God is available, a source of rescue. Share on X” username=”CandyArrington”]
Discover Peace
For many years, I experienced peace in the pool, or beside the pool, at my childhood home. The beach brings that same sense of calmness and rest. Being in or near water provides a feeling of relaxation. We sleep better after a day of swimming or while listening to rain drum on the roof. God provides a special sense of relaxation through the feel, sound, and sight of water.
God provides a special sense of relaxation through the feel, sound, and sight of water. Share on X” username=”CandyArrington”]
Finding peace in the current climate of our world is challenging. Media reports, global conflict, and general uncertainty combine to keep us in turmoil. Do you long for peace?
The beauty of nature calms and soothes. Adding communion with Creator God to time spent in nature enhances calmness and brings peace. The One who divided water, created the universe, and sustains our world, hovers over us, sees our struggles, and knows our needs. He is peace.
“Jesus stood and called out [in a loud voice], ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38 AMP).
The One who divided water, created the universe, and sustains our world, hovers over us, sees our struggles, and knows our needs. Share on X” username=”CandyArrington”]
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
To receive Candy’s blog, Forward Motion, via email, go to https://candyarrington.com/blog/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.