Under The Surface
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)
In her book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Isabel Wilkerson tells the story of a heatwave striking the normally frozen tundra of Siberia in 2016. In a region of the world that is normally frozen, temperatures rose to over 95 degrees, wildfires flared, and pockets of methane bubbled beneath the soil which was normally frozen. Soon people started getting sick from a mysterious illness that they had never before seen.
Russian authorities declared a state of emergency as people struggled to figure out what had happened. Turns out, the sudden rise in temperature thawed the soil so much that it released a toxin that had been encased in ice underneath the surface since 1941.
During World War 2, herds of reindeer were killed by a deadly pathogen called anthrax. Their animal carcasses, contaminated with the deadly bacteria, laid hidden in the dead bodies of those reindeer frozen underneath the ground. But when the temperature got hot and the dead carcasses began to thaw, the spores from the bacteria seeped through the land and water, and began to spread and infect the people. People got sick and many died because there was something deadly buried beneath the ground that was exposed by the heat.
This story gives us a great representation of the importance we need to place on who we chose to partner with. Oftentimes, people have issues that are buried beneath the surface that they don’t show us. They have character flaws and issues and skeletons in the closet, and all it takes is for a moment of intense heat and pressure to arise before the deadly bacteria of their lives begins to come to the surface.
So let me encourage you. Don’t settle for just anyone. Don’t overlook red flags because you don’t want to be alone. Sure, she can be fine like Beyoncé and he can be handsome like Denzel, but that doesn’t mean you still won’t find yourself sick when the pressures of life expose who they really are. Save yourself a lot of heartache, save yourself a lot of pain, and wait until God sends the right person to you. I promise, choosing to wait is a decision you will never regret.
In her book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Isabel Wilkerson tells the story of a heatwave striking the normally frozen tundra of Siberia in 2016. In a region of the world that is normally frozen, temperatures rose to over 95 degrees, wildfires flared, and pockets of methane bubbled beneath the soil which was normally frozen. Soon people started getting sick from a mysterious illness that they had never before seen.
Russian authorities declared a state of emergency as people struggled to figure out what had happened. Turns out, the sudden rise in temperature thawed the soil so much that it released a toxin that had been encased in ice underneath the surface since 1941.
During World War 2, herds of reindeer were killed by a deadly pathogen called anthrax. Their animal carcasses, contaminated with the deadly bacteria, laid hidden in the dead bodies of those reindeer frozen underneath the ground. But when the temperature got hot and the dead carcasses began to thaw, the spores from the bacteria seeped through the land and water, and began to spread and infect the people. People got sick and many died because there was something deadly buried beneath the ground that was exposed by the heat.
This story gives us a great representation of the importance we need to place on who we chose to partner with. Oftentimes, people have issues that are buried beneath the surface that they don’t show us. They have character flaws and issues and skeletons in the closet, and all it takes is for a moment of intense heat and pressure to arise before the deadly bacteria of their lives begins to come to the surface.
So let me encourage you. Don’t settle for just anyone. Don’t overlook red flags because you don’t want to be alone. Sure, she can be fine like Beyoncé and he can be handsome like Denzel, but that doesn’t mean you still won’t find yourself sick when the pressures of life expose who they really are. Save yourself a lot of heartache, save yourself a lot of pain, and wait until God sends the right person to you. I promise, choosing to wait is a decision you will never regret.
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Let it GoA Prayer for RestorationThe Power of Self-ForgivenessEmbracing FreedomFrom Transgression to RedemptionRelease and FreedomWisdom in ReflectionBlessed Assurance in ForgivenessEmbracing Divine RestTrusting in the WaitingEmbracing Peace in Unresolved MomentsMoving Forward Without ClosureA New Chapter AwaitsRefocusing for a New ChapterThe Danger of Looking BackLet God Be Your DefenseGod's Victory, Not OursThe Author of Your New ChapterThe Faithful Promise KeeperA Promise UnveiledThe Urgency of ObedienceThe University of AdversityThriving in AdversityForging the Future YouTransformative Power of AdversityThe Role of ResilienceThe Gift of EmpathyChanging PerspectiveGod's Purpose in Your AdversityThe Anchoring Power of TrustConsistent in Prayer, Unwavering in Praise
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Navigating Life's JourneyLessons from the Prodigal SonStaying on TrackA Lesson in PatienceTrusting in God's TimingAvoiding the DriftChoosing Your Company WiselyThe Impact of Your Inner CircleThe Call to Responsible StewardshipFrom Rock Bottom to RedemptionGetting My Life Back On TrackWholeness Beyond Rock BottomWaking Up to ResponsibilityFacing the FactsOnly God Can Make Life Worth Living You Can Do ItYour Transformation MattersBreaking Free from ShameGod's Unwavering CareThe Good ShepherdThe Shepherd Who ProvidesFinding Refuge in God's ProtectionGod's Omnipotent ProtectionGod's Unseen ProtectionOverflowing BlessingsA Unique LoveA Divine ExchangeThe Power in His Precious BloodFrom Trials to Praise
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Cleansing Body, Mind, and SpiritDetoxifying the MindDetoxifying for Spiritual EmpowermentThe Promise of God's PresenceWalking Purely Under God's ProtectionEmbracing God's Promise of RedemptionEmbracing God's Promise of ReconciliationThe Blessing of God's Adoption and ProvisionGod Desires RelationshipGod's Unconditional LoveGod's Gift of GraceNot OptionalPromises for the ChosenVIP Status in the KingdomThe Necessity of Cleansing for Kingdom CitizensThe Power WithinFinding Peace Beyond the PastHealing WoundsCleansing the TempleUnpacking the Trauma WithinHealing from WithinThe Promise of HealingBeyond the MindFinding Safety in Your BodyThe Power of a WishThe Ultimate WishBeyond Religious PerformanceBeyond Personal AchievementTrue Gain in Knowing ChristKnowing Christ DeeplyThe Power of His Resurrection
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