Speed bumps are ridges or bumps on the road surface, typically at intervals, to control the speed of vehicles.
We just returned from a trip to Western Kenya. As we were driving West we were amazed at the amount of speed bumps along the way. Through every little town or where ever there was a school we found speed bumps. Sometimes if the road was descending or curvy there would be speed bumps. Whether we liked it or not there were so many speed bumps It would be nice if every time you came near a speed bump there would be a sign on the side of the road or that the bumps would be brightly painted so you could see them in the distance.
However, as we traveled West many of the speed bumps looked like this below. There would not be a sign and it would not be painted. Most often the bumps were bigger than this as well.
On our way back to Nairobi we went a different way. There were still so many speed bumps but at least these were better marked. I decided to count them to just see how many there were. In 6 hours of driving we actually went over 228 speed bumps! Can you believe it? I still can't!
As I was marking tally marks on a paper napkin along the way I began thinking about speed bumps which come up in our life. Sometimes we can see them coming at a distance and we can just slow down and ease over them. Then at other times we don't see them coming at all and have to slam on brakes and go over them way too fast. Because we can't stay in our homes all the time, we know that we will definitely encounter speed bumps, humps, and even pot holes in life. Life will not just be smooth roads all the time. So whether we encounter these things as the driver or the passenger, we have a choice in how we will respond, get over the bump, around the bump, or through whatever problem has come our way. We can not always choose another road completely. Every one of us will encounter speed bumps or problems in our lives. Problems which have to do with finances, depression, transition, relationships, our children, our health, death, rejection, and persecution. The list can be endless.
As believers we can choose how we handle these speedbumps in our lives. We can:
-choose to make the most of the relationships the Lord has put in to our lives.
-Give thanks! Don't complain!
-Rejoice!
-Believe the Word of God.
-Call out to God in Prayer
-Overcome evil with good
-Respond with Grace
God has assured us that He will not allow us to be attacked with trials or temptations that are too overwhleming for us to handle. If we look at 1 Cor. 10: 12-13 it says, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." As you mature in your faith, God uses tests and trials to develop your character and ministry. He will give us the grace we need as we walk through trials in life. If we will choose to respond to trials in the grace of God we will experience the power of God's Spirit, which will be shown in our lives through the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control.
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