Rejoicing in Our Homemaking

Examining Scripture:

Evaluating Soil:

We get it. The world is full of tribulation and storms. We would have to live under rocks not to be able to see the turbulence stirring in homes, churches, schools, work places, governments, communities, and countries. Countless hearts are burdened, broken, and plagued with hopelessness and struggles. To say, “Life is tough,” is an understatement.

But, is it really necessary for television and radio programs, news sources, movies, books, and social media to incessantly sell, sensationalize, and spread the germs of the dysfunctional trials and tragedies we face? Isn’t it obvious that sinfulness, sadness, setbacks, and sickness are running rampant today? Sadly, there’s enough personal trouble stifling hopes and crushing spirits that we’ve become numb to hopelessness and accept it as the norm.

It doesn’t have to be this way. No matter what they say, what we think, or what our reality is. Tribulation doesn’t have to be accepted and allowed into our dwelling places. We can rejoice in our hope and in our homes.

Experiencing Seasons:

Whether I like it or not, hurricane season comes every year.  While my experiences with them don’t make me fear them, I do dread them. I’m very much aware of the devastation they can bring. Maybe, it’s because I’ve seen and felt their fury.

It’s useless to just wait, worry, and wonder when the next storm may come.  So, I try to enjoy the pretty days and, as a precaution, prepare for the next storm. Preparation eases my mind. We may prepare by:

• Listening more intently to the weather reports
• Becoming more alert to the weather patterns
• Gathering the supplies needed
• Securing things around the house
• Keeping the yard maintenance up

Regardless of my earnest desire to avoid them, I can’t stop the storms. But, I can be ready to face them with more hope, patience, and prayer.

Embracing Solace:

When we have hope to rejoice in, can face life’s pressures with patience, and take our burdens to God in earnest prayer, our homes become stronger against tribulations.

“Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come
that ye shall be scattered,
every man to his own,
and shall leave me alone:
and yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.

These things I have spoken unto you,
that in me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.”
John 16:31-33

We’re not alone. If we’ve accepted Christ as our Savior, our Creator dwells in us and He has overcome the world. We can take solace in that.

Enjoying Simplicity:

Hope in God gives us something to rejoice about even in our storms. It’s as simple as that.

Employing Solutions:

Our homes can become spiritually sound, safe places of respite that offer prevention, protection, or provision to deal with the hardships and heartaches that come. We can build homes that:

• Build our faith
• Feed our hope
• Restore our joy
• Strengthen our patience
• Stand up to  life’s pressures
• Rely on the power of prayer

As Christians, we can’t bury our heads, hide from the world, and ignore the hopelessness of tribulations. Nor do we have to become statistics that succumb to the raging storms of this life. We can prepare, and that preparation starts at home.

Bring It Home

Is your home ready for the storms and battles ahead?

Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC