Storm & Rebuild. Repeat.

You would think that as you progress through this life and the journey of faith, that things would get easier. But they don't. And we shouldn't be surprised. Consider the work of God in your life. Does not Scripture refer to it as the Refiner's fire?

The cleansing, transformation work of the Holy Spirit is like being under the spotlight, in the hot seat, under fire.

We often consider being under fire, as being under attack. Which is very much true. It is a two-fold perspective.

God is making us stronger in the faith, as we journey through life and experience and everything else. The challenge, the struggle, the battle, the frustration... mixed in with the occasional joy, laughter and sorrow; God is using all of it for His glory. There is no doubt in my mind.

Alternatively, though, is there not a competition for strength? Something gets built until the storm comes and destroys it. So rebuilding occurs. Stronger. And a stronger storm comes. And a third rebuild. And an even stronger, third storm hits.

God is building a stronger force of faith within us...
The enemy, in his determination, mounts a stronger attempt of attack against us.

We are not watching the war, nor are we in the war as a participant. We are the very object of the war. There is no willingly turning to the enemy's side. There is only the look at God that does not lose trust in Him or the look that says we are done with His rebuilding us.

This is decision of burnout. Is it the spiritual warfare that gets to us as believers? Absolutely. But for all the struggles along the way within ministry and the work that God desires to accomplish that is met with a people and cultural that is simultaneously interested in the spiritual realm, but not desirous of a relationship with God, the process of storm and rebuild seems at times a futile, albeit eternal exercise.

Do we know better? Yes
But that hasn't stopped some from looking at God and simply wanting it to be over.

On this #missionsFriday, while this could be for any of us, pray especially for missionaries that very well may be at such a brink in their faith. Pray for those on the field, both at home and abroad, whose future seems bleak and they are weary and worn from the onslaught of storms and battles against them from cultural and political attack. May God strengthen them and raise them up, anew and afresh. Pray that they would neither lose hope, nor be dismayed. Pray that would not worry about the outcome nor the process, but would continue to place their trust in God alone, even if it feels futile... even if it feels as though they don't have it within them to do so one more time. May God give them incredible grace and amazing unfound favor.

That His will would be accomplished.
Their lives of faith and corresponding work, not done in vain.
But for the glory of God alone.

- PNC