Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Hit Hard But Bouncing Back - #8227

Friday, March 13, 2009

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I love the cedar tree in front of our house. But this past winter, I thought we’d lose the old boy for sure. There was a heavy onslaught of ice and sleet and snow, and it bent those branches to the ground. A few broke off, but that tree was hanging low like it was going down. Wrong! A few days later, he was standing strong again, looking like nothing had ever happened.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft, and I decided I want to be like Mr. Cedar Tree. Well, in a word—resilient. No matter how hard the hit, no matter how heavy the load, resilience is the ability to bounce back. For me, it’s Jesus who’s been the difference between being knocked down and knocked out. Paul said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” What was his secret of unsinkability? He said, “This all-surpassing power is from God” (2 Corinthians 4:7 ).

My life verse is in a passage of the Bible that describes some of the worst things that can happen in a person’s life. It says, “trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword.” And then Paul makes this ultimate declaration of holy resilience: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:35 , 37).

See, there’s something about digging deep into Jesus that gives you recovery resources far beyond your own. If your eyes are looking around at the bombardment, you’re going down. If your eyes are looking up at the God who’s totally in charge and totally committed to you, you can be like that beaten down cedar tree. You can, in God’s power, not only survive but thrive.

Listen, for more spiritual encouragement, I want to encourage you to visit our website today. It’s ALifeThatMatters.org.

This radio program references: 2 Corinthians 4:7 ; Romans 8:35 , 37