Most everyone knows her name and a bit about her work. But few know of the discouragement and self-doubt she faced, the depression during her early twenties that led to suicidal thoughts, the criticism she endured, her ruined health, and collapses from overwork.
Yet Florence Nightingale, Mother of Modern Nursing, persevered through it all.
Even as she suffered, Florence wrote, “It is such a blessing to have been called, however unworthy, to be the handmaid of the Lord” [1].
We marvel at her determination and strength, yet such endurance is available to us too. God has provided numerous ways for us to endure all circumstances.
Especially in this time of turmoil and uncertainty in our world, we’d do well to build up a nest egg of intentional faith deposits—deposits that include:
STANDING firm on the Bible
Psalm 119 in particular celebrates the benefits of immersion in God’s Word. A short-list would include: delight (v. 16), counsel (v. 24), understanding (v. 32), hope (v. 49), comfort (v. 52), wisdom (v. 99), truth (v. 160), and peace (v. 165).
Who couldn’t use more of these qualities in their lives?
TIME with God
Turn your mind to worship throughout the day, and in the process of being worshiped . . . God will communicate his presence [2]. Awareness of his presence then leads to strength, and strength leads to quietness of spirit.
TRUST in God’s character
Those of us who’ve known God for awhile can attest to his unfathomable grace, unwavering faithfulness, never-ending compassion, supreme goodness, infinite wisdom, over-arching power, and perfect love.
Meditating on his attributes also replenishes our spiritual strength.
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APPROPRIATION of what God has provided
Think of the value of such God-given gifts as forgiveness, prayer, the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, and contentment.
Why would I ever say, “No thank you, God!” to such glorious gifts?
DETERMINATION to stay in the fight
You might remember that composer Ludwig van Beethoven became deaf, beginning in his twenties. Yet he declared, “I will take life by the throat” [3].
May we exercise such determination and embrace our life in Christ with the same tenacity, no matter the circumstances. Strain contributes to strength.
AWARENESS of the evidence
How has God provided for you? Protected you? Guided you?
Contemplate the examples and you’ll find yourself echoing the psalmist: “You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands” [4].
And joy in the Lord also fosters strength [5].
ENJOYMENT of God’s blessings
To keep the joy flowing, remember his magnanimous blessings—those gifts beyond necessity and surprises beyond dreams.
More joy; more strength.
FELLOWSHIP with God’s people
Praise God for family and friends whose winsome ways make our lives a little lighter, whose compassion makes our troubles easier to carry, and whose love and encouragement enable us to press on.
They infuse strength when ours begins to wane.
SINGLE-MINDEDNESS on the goal
With the Apostle Paul we can focus on one thing: forget what is behind and do our best to reach toward what is ahead, “which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above” [6].
All of these deposits . . .
S tanding firm
T ime with God
E njoyment of God’s blessings
A ppropriation of what God has provided
D etermination to stay in the fight
F ellowship with God’s people
A wareness of the evidence
S ingle-mindedness
T rust in God’s character . . .
. . . will contribute to the kind of STEADFASTNESS that propelled such people of faith as Florence Nightingale and Ludwig van Beethoven through the adversities they faced.
And do you remember what happens when perseverance finishes its work in our lives?
We become mature, complete, and lacking in nothing [7].
Ready for anything.
[1] https://www.christiantoday.com/article/god-has-spoken-to-me-and-called-me-to-serve-12-inspiring-florence-nightingale-quotes-to-mark-her-birthday/108984.htm
[2] C. S. Lewis, quoted by Linda Dillow in Satisfy the Thirsty Soul, 17.
[3] https://bible.org/illustration/life-throat
[4] Psalm 92:4
[5] Nehemiah 8:10
[6] Philippians 3:13-14 GNT
[7] James 1:4 HCSB
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From the Inside Out 