“I’m doing this because I love you…’

My daughter didn’t seem moved and continued to complain about having to work on memorizing her multiplication facts over the summer.

“Honey, if I didn’t care, I would just let you wake up, watch tv, and do nothing all summer. But, I know what’s coming in fourth grade math. If you aren’t automatic in these facts, it’s going to take you twice as long to do your work everyday. Trust me.”

Her face started to soften as she could hear the compassion and wisdom in my voice. A willing spirit SLOWLY began emerging and she softened to the thought of a little math over the summer.

She trusted my reasoning, even though she would rather totally chill and forget math for the next three months.

Ladies, don’t we push back at The Lord’s guidance like this?

He sees the next season and knows what we need to bloom there. 

and

He loves us.

Unlike me, the sinful, human parent, wanting what’s best for my child, He’s the perfectly loving Father, knowing what’s best for His child.

If we could just get that the next time we question His love, question why this is happening, everything would shift in us.

I am convinced, if we grow in knowing His love for us, we will grow in our faith in every way.

Paul convinced me in Ephesians 3.

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” Ephesians 3:17 NLT

Friends, we want our roots – our belief system – to grown down into the reality of His love for us in every situation. In my life, I see examples in three levels of faith crises: everyday messes, more serious stresses, and fear.

Everyday messes:  when we are stressed because the dog peed on the floor, the kids are arguing and the house is a wreck. (Or if your’e nine -Mom making you memorize math over the summer 😉

More serious stresses: Things that are causing lasting anxiety and worry. This could be wrapped up in money or making big decisions.

Fear: This faith crisis usually occurs when you realize you are absolutely not in control, and you are having trouble trusting The One who is. For me, it is often wrapped up in a health scare or uncertainty in my future.

Think of a situation you’ve been in lately where you just totally temporarily forgot God loves you and He’s got you. In that moment, you experienced a doubt of His love, His goodness, His mercy, forgiveness, and His peace. We’ve all  been there. We all experience real life. Jesus told us we would:

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In this series, Bloom in His Love, we are going to walk through how to grow and blossom  in our faith when we are in danger of withering and shrinking back in frustration and fear. We will learn to do three things to ensure we don’t just survive, but that we thrive. We want to take the opportunity set before us and become like a tree planted by His stream of living water, bearing fruit in every season, with strong roots that don’t just hold our faith secure, but strengthen the faith of those around us, amen?

So here’s the three things we need to BLOOM: 
1. Check our Soil

2. Weed 

3. Water 

But before we do that, assess what level of BLOOMING you’re at

Blossoms abound- I am in a season of praising God, experincing His love and thanking Him for all I see Him doing, even the frustrating hard things, I can see his hand in and I trust He’s working all things together for good.

Weeds popping up- I know The Lord loves me, but I’m praying the same things over and over and feeling stuck instead of trusting and waiting. I’m a little nervous about a few things and overanalyzing a my situations.

Need water! Withering – I have to be honest, I’m in a hard season. There’s been one struggle after another. I want to believe God is good and He loves me, but I’m having a hard time walking in that right now.

Which one of these conditions do you feel your heart in right now? Let me encourage you, we have all been in all of theses conditions. The good news is, like Paul says in Ephesians, we can simply let our roots grow down into His love, and we be strengthened in our faith. I’m here to help you! Next week, I’ll walk us through how to grow in an awareness God’s amazing love for us. It’s the most transformation thing I’ve ever experienced.

What do you think, friend – what stage of BLOOMING are you in right now?

Are you blossoming in faith? Need some weeding? Needs some watering?

His love is the cure.

I have a free printable for you below:: 3 Steps and Scriptures to help you BLOOM:

BLOOM

Print it out, post it where you can see it, memorize the WORD and BLOOM!

I’ll have more next week on checking the soil we’re planted in!

If this email has been encouraging, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter (in the pop up box) and receive a FREE 28 Day Bloom Devotional Journal!

Amy