A Reminder About Sowing and Reaping

We've all heard the saying, "when it rains, it pours."  That pretty much sums up the testing that's been taking place in my life over the past few weeks.  As you know, I'm working hard on my new book about dealing with anxiety and depression, and I've been putting into practice the things the Lord has been teaching me.  At first, it was relatively simple, and I was amazed that deliverance could be so easy to come by, but then, my weak spots were targeted--mainly, my health.

Over the past several months, I have taken great strides to improve my health.  I've changed my diet, adapted my exercise routine and much more.  And though progress has been slow, it has been steady. And let me tell you, there's no better boost to your desire and motivation than to see results from all your hard work.  But then, most of that progress stopped, and some things even seemed to start on the path backward.  This period has been a true test of the methods the Lord has shared with me about dealing with anxiety and depression because nothing gets me in a tizzy more than feeling like I'm wasting my time and effort only to make reverse progress.

As I poured out my heart to the Lord the other morning, I confessed how I could understand my health deteriorating if I was mistreating my body, but I was doing all the right things.  I had even finally gotten a handle on my stress levels, so why was this happening?  I was sowing the proper seeds. Why wasn't I reaping the benefits?  Do you know what my precious Father reminded me of?  We don't sow today so that we can reap tomorrow.  Reaping is often months or even years away.

Think about that for a moment.  How crazy would a farmer be if he planted a field of beans today and expected to have a full harvest by tomorrow or even next week?  It's ludicrous, yet that's exactly what I was doing.  Sure, for the past few months I've been doing the work to get my health in order, but it took years to get my health to where it is now.  I can't expect to reverse it in just a few months.  It takes time.  It takes constant tending.  It takes--dare I say--patience.

Maybe you know exactly what I'm feeling.  Perhaps for you, progress in some area of your life is slow or even stalled, and despite doing the right things, you're not reaping the results for which you had hoped.  If that's you, hang in there, dear friend.  The Bible does teach the principle of sowing and reaping, but not once does it say that we'll reap tomorrow what we sow today.  It's not an instantaneous process, but that's okay because the waiting gives us time to grow.  Don't give up.  Don't stop sowing and tending that field.  Whether you see it or not, the reaping process has begun.  Keep doing the right things, and God will reward your faithfulness.  Hold fast to His promises, and keep up the good work.  Awesome things are about to happen!

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. - Galatians 6:7