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Listen while you read: "Be Thou My Vision"1
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James 1:2-3 – Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (NLT)
My husband and I certainly didn't think that it was an opportunity for great joy when our car wouldn't start. For once, we were in the car at exactly 6:00 a.m., ready to head home from a recent holiday, a day's drive from New Denver, British Columbia, Canada, to Red Deer, Alberta. We had a small inland ferry to catch, so we needed to leave on the hour. Terry pushed the starter button. A few lights appeared on the dash, but no action. Stunned disbelief! As we fiddled around, even those lights faded away. Now we'll be stuck here for hours, I thought, far from any decent garage. Finally, I suggested that he call the Alberta Motor Association. The voice at the end of the line promised help within two hours.
In the meantime, I calmly finished my Bible reading, sitting comfortably on the couch in the house that had been lent to us, instead of trying to read on a winding mountain road. Terry stared out the window. I was impressed that he didn't seem upset. He had calculated how long it would take for the tow truck to come, and then, he walked the short distance to the highway to direct it. Thinking that the whole hybrid car battery would need to be removed from the rear, Terry had piled our luggage onto the ground. "Nope. I can try charging the battery from here," said the cheerful young mechanic, lifting the hood. "You'll be fine. As you drive the hour to the ferry, you'll be fully charged." We held our breath at each stop, and it was so. We were fine.
2 Corinthians 4:17 – For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that far outweighs them and will last forever! (NLT)
As we related our battery issue, my daughter-in-law commented, "That was just a blip." The dictionary definition of blip is "a temporary irregularity recorded in performance of something". The trouble that we faced did not last long. We were delayed by only a little over a couple of hours, getting home before sunset. We didn't overtly react with a bad attitude, but neither did we see anything to be joyful about. Maybe God was really showing us that setbacks, big or small, are just a blip on the road of life.
Let's look at temporary setbacks as just blips on the road of life.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that our setbacks are just blips on the road of life. Thank You that You are building endurance in us and strengthening our character through these testings. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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Thanks, Alice, for the encouraging words.
Great reminder and advice Alice, thanks and blessings!
Good phrase Alice!
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. God’s constant care truly encourages us. Blessings.
Good advice, Alice. I had a similar experience with a hybrid, only mine resulted in a new car. But it still was, as you say, a “blip.”
A very good testimony I have ever read. I remember one of Paul’s words that everything we’ve done for Christ will not be in vain. God bless you.
Hello Alice
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The blimps in the road!!
God bless.
Good morning, Alice,
There seem to be a lot of blips on our lives right now, some short, others longer. Thank you for your good words.
Blessings.
Hi Alice,
I often think that the challenges we have faced over the years are really nothing compared to what many have faced and then I contemplate what it must be like not to have faith in God and comfort in the knowledge that God is in control.
Thanks for writing another thought-provoking devotionals.
Thank you, Alice, for another of your interesting and encouraging devotionals. You picked the perfect title for it as it was a “blip” you experienced that day and however stressful it was at the time our Lord was there to solve the unexpected situation. He sure is there to serve us in so many amazing ways! Blessings for these special writings you prepare, and may you enjoy a lovely weekend.
Very good, Alice and so true. It only takes a few big blips to recognize the small ones. As everyone, I have had some huge hurts that has broken my heart so now as they say, I don’t sweat the small “blips” as much. But don’t get me wrong, I think those things should be acknowledged as we struggle through these hard times. Sometimes we can’t see how difficult they are if we have not walked that way.
God Bless.
Hi Alice,
Two very encouraging Bible passages you share with us and how well you and your hubby were able to handle this “blip”. Trust in the Lord that He will help and guide us is so important on our journey of life.
Thanks for sharing your experience and showing us that we can handle the “blips” along the way. We will be stronger in our faith and character. Blessings.
These “blips” on the road keep us dependent on the Lord.