I don't know if you experienced the same weather this past week as I did, but I would like to use it as an example for this lesson. I was up on the lake this past week and for a good portion of the week, it was very sunny and hot. In fact, for several days in a row the temperatures stayed in the mid-to-upper nineties and the lows were in the eighties overnight. The air was also very humid during this time. It was almost too hot to do anything. Now, don't get me wrong – the weather was beautiful, but it seemed like the moment you stepped out the door, any movement rendered you soaked in sweat. I still took lots of walks on the beach and went swimming, but activities were short and spread out so as to not overdo it with the heat. I also had to keep well-hydrated. As we watched the weather report, they kept saying that the heat wave would last for a certain number of days and then it would drop into the eighties and there would even be a bit of rain. But, each day, we found that the heat wave would continue and they'd put off the cooler days in the forecast. Then, one day late in the week, in the afternoon, I noticed the sky darkening. I heard slight rumbles in the distance. I walked out to the shoreline and the wind started to blow in off the lake. There were even occasional drops of rain carried by the wind. We finally had a break in the weather. It felt so refreshing. It was so much cooler and I just stood there on the shoreline for awhile, looking out over the lake and letting the wind gush past me. I had a wonderful time on vacation the whole week, but that break in the weather felt like such a relief on my body. And it got me to thinking.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Matthew 11:29-30
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Psalm 119:133-135
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
James 5:7-8
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
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