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My dogs and I try to walk every day. Some days I find that we seem to fly around our route. Our time passes quickly and pleasantly and is over all too soon. Other days it’s more like a trudge. The Oxford dictionary defines the word trudge this way: to walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions.
Exhaustion or harsh conditions can not only slow our physical walk down but also the journey of our souls. When life is going well, our relationship with the Lord always seems to be sweet and full of thankfulness and endless hope, it’s like having wings. Our soul rejoices. The days fly by as we enjoy such calm, happy times. When hardship arrives on our doorstep however, life often becomes more of a trudge as we seek to move forward each day, dragging our faith along with us.
Years ago, I remember visiting with a friend who was weary from the struggles of life. He quoted these verses to me:
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)
When he had finished, he sighed and uttered, I’m so sick of character building. We both laughed at his remark, yet I still remember feeling the weariness of his trudging soul. Amidst such trudging times, even though we may feel so, we are, however never alone. The Holy Spirit is trudging right beside us, reminding us:
++ The Lord himself goes before you: See Deuteronomy 31:8a
++ He is able to led you in the right path: See Psalm 5:8a
++ He, the God of peace is able to provide you with every good thing you need in order to do his will: See Hebrews 13:21a
++ He is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom: See Isaiah 28:29b
++ He hears our pleas: See Lamentation 3:56a
Therefore, let us not despair, when life causes our souls to trudge. Rather, may we rejoice in the Lord’s love and ability to transform our trudgings into all good things in Christ Jesus: spiritual maturity and hope in the Lord, the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He who gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:26b-31 NIV)
Prayer: Lord God, You who strengthen the weary and increase the power of the weak, thank You for always being with us, hearing our cries, and providing us with all we need to rejoice in our trudging that we might persevere, which produces character and hope which will never disappoint us. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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