Stay Strong

As I was watering a planter of Coleus the other day, I noticed some insect damage on the leaves. When I potted it in the spring, I had added some systemic insecticide granules to the soil. The packaging stated that the insecticide would last 6-8 weeks. We have a fairly long growing season here in zone 7, so obviously the effectiveness had worn off. I sprayed the planter with insecticidal soap. I know it will recover after two or three applications at one week intervals. Insects will attack plants for various reasons. Some plants are more vulnerable simply because of their bright color. Others are weak because of poor growing conditions. 

I am always amazed at how our Father God, the creator of all things, can show lessons for our own life from the rest of His creation. As Christians, we have to keep applying God’s Word in our lives or we too become vulnerable. A one-time application of going to church on Sunday is not sufficient. The enemy and life in general will throw traps, tests and trial in our way. There have been times in my life when things were going so well that I neglected to have personal time with God on a daily basis. The spiritual growing conditions in my life caused me to become weak. Inevitably, I got knocked off my feet and wondered what had happened. We live in a time where everyone is busy. Days, weeks, months fly by, and before we know it another year has passed. I heard a teacher on the radio the other day make the statement, “We all have the same 24 hours in a day. What we do with that time everyday is up to us.” Finding time to spend in God’s Word can be challenging at times. Spend a few moments everyday reading just one verse or listening to a podcast of a good Bible teacher. It could mean all the difference in the world in how you respond to the events of your day. We have all heard the old saying, “Stop and smell the roses.” How about stopping for a moment and breathe a word of praise to the One who created those roses? At the end of the day, instead of the heat and drought draining us of our hope and strength we will instead be filled with peace and victory. 

“So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)