| And just for good measure: a photo of the Zen garden in Holland Park |
I
have discovered that much of the enemy’s
plan
to destroy us has to do with wearing us
out.
The
missionary life is not a sprint; it is a
marathon.
Did
you have a tough day? Get some space.
Take
a nap. Take a walk. Listen to some
music.
Don’t overact to the day. Rather,
respond
by the Spirit. Instead of reacting to
the
daily fl uctuations of the “spiritual stock
exchange,”
choose to be a long-term investor
in
the Word of God. If you remain faithful,
your
ministry will reap eternal dividends.
The
enemy loves to place a large map of
the
Sahara Dessert in front of your face
and
remind you how diffi cult your journey
is
going to be. As you look at the many
challenges
set before you, a demon whispers
in
your ear, “Even if you make it through
this
day, look how far you still have to go. It
is
going to take you weeks, months, even
decades
to get across this desert and you are
thirsty
already. Give up now! Turn around!
Go
back to Egypt!” Discouragement is a
powerful
weapon.The enemy wants you to
become
overwhelmed and to give up the
ground
you’ve worked so hard to gain.
Remember
the Lord’s words: “Do not worry
about
tomorrow...each day has enough
trouble
of its own” (Matthew 6:34). When
you
are weary, don’t think too much or talk
too
much. Don’t even glance at the big map
when
you’re tired. Set your sites on getting to
the
next shelter where you can rest.
~
Dr. Robert S. Miller, Spiritual Survival
Handbook
for Cross-Cultural workers
(p.
37)
