In John 15:5, Jesus says,
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing."
Abide is a verb meaning to remain stable or fixed in a state, to bear patiently, or to endure without yielding.
There was a time I would pass over this scripture, a time when seeing verses that told me I could do nothing on my own would rear ugly pride and cause me to quickly turn the page. Of course I could solve my own problems if I would ruminate long enough to determine cause, understand my feelings, and make some life adjustments. Surely sitting still was not the answer. Can you relate?
Let me share with you a personal example...
More than five years ago, I experienced the ultimate betrayal and attack on trust in a relationship. It was an experience I could not move past and it caused feelings within me of pain, emptiness, and confusion. I was suddenly lost. Drowning in my sorrow, I lashed out. I ran from those who loved me because they wanted me to face the pain and seek true healing. I wasn't ready and I was naive in thinking that if I ignored the situation and quickly moved on, relying on myself to accomplish victory, I would arrive on top.
Without surprise, I failed in this method. I carried my pain forward further inflicting it upon myself as well as others. I lost touch with God and forgot the source of peace. I thought I could fix things on my own. I thought a new career, a new family, a new life would make it all go away. But those things only mask the pain.
It was only through reflecting and understanding myself through God's word and truth that I was set free. I still have to remind myself to sit still, but, oh, it is so sweet to repent those fleshly ways and understand the rewards of abiding in a loving Father, no longer chasing a sense of peace, but living in it. We don't have the answers ourselves and we are not expected to. (liberating, huh?)
Bearing patiently during time of pain and strife is not easy. Desiring reasons and asking God, "why?!" is human. Seeking help and admitting defeat is hard-I know!
My prayer is that as a counselor I will not push for quick fixes or feel as if I should have all the answers-that I can abide with you in God's grace during your trials and assist with true healing, not temporary relief. I pray that words, thoughts and information shared on this blog assist you in your journey. I pray that if nothing else, we stop along the way together and bask in the love freely given despite our imperfections!
John 15:9
"As the Father has loved me, so I loved you. Abide in my love."
