March 26th
One by One
I once collected a number of sticks, put them in a bundle. I suppose the sticks were about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. The bundle itself was perhaps the size of a soft ball. It was almost impossible for my hand to reach around it. Then standing before the audience, I drew their attention to the fact that I would attempt to break the bundle of sticks in two. I strained to accomplish the feat. They strained to observe. It was, like, they were hanging on my every attempt. While my muscles were straining - they were straining also. One could tell that I was determine - but soon in the frustration gave up.
The audience seemed disappointed, thinking that I should have been able to do it, not realizing that they, themselves, could do no better. Then I cut the string that was holding the sticks together. "Watch" I said. Then one by one, I BROKE them.
Can you, my friend, apply this to your life right now? Are you trying to break all your "situations" at one time. Like the child that had to add a real long list of numbers that got frustrated. He was told to divide the list in several sections and then do the adding. It worked. So, with the many things that seem to affect me and mine, I say, "I will attempt to break only one aspect at a time." It does work. So our burdens are much like this also. Your faith will make such possible because God has said, "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."
May I pray for you?
Lord, I ask, in the name of Jesus, that this reader quit trying to fix everything at once. That they just single out one "stick" of difficulty, one "stick" of a burden or problem and with your help and strength break into victory.
Amen
"With God we will gain the victory." - Psalm 60:12