Grateful for Growth: Becoming a Butterfly
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
I have grown in my faith walk as a direct result of my journeys through the valley of the shadow. My guess is most of us have heard the story of the butterfly. But, humor me a bit in case anyone is unfamiliar.
“One day a small opening appeared on a chrysalis. A person sat and watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then, it stopped and did not appear to be making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could not go any further. So, the person decided to help the butterfly. With a pair of scissors, the person opened the chrysalis. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a withered body, it was tiny and had shriveled wings. The person continued to watch, expecting that, at any moment, the wings would open, enlarge and expand, to be able to support the butterfly’s body and become firm. It never happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a withered body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the person in sincere kindness and goodwill, did not understand was that the restricting chrysalis and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were the One’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings, so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the chrysalis.”
God allows us, much like the butterfly, to go through struggles in this life. If He did not allow us to experience the difficulties life can throw at us it would cripple us. We would not become as strong as we could have been. We would never be able to fly. God has allowed mental illness, cancer, heart disease, death and all those struggles bring with them to grow me towards becoming a woman He can use to guide other woman towards becoming the beautiful butterfly God wants them to be! Life is so hard sometimes, but it is in the struggles we learn to not only rely on Him for our strength and courage, but we then take flight on beautiful wings soaring to new heights God has prepared for us to enjoy. Every day brings its own difficulties as well as joys. Sisters, we must live life without fear, confront the obstacles that we encounter, and live with a conviction that we can overcome anything! With God as our Father we can spread our wings and fly as the beautiful butterflies God created us to be!
For further Reading: Colossians 1:17; Psalm 23:4; Philippians 4:13
Most gracious and loving Father, I give thanks to you this day for all that You have given me. I rejoice in the knowledge that You are walking beside me whether on the highest of heights or in the deepest of valleys. Show me how I can serve You by serving those You place on my pathway of life. Give me wisdom to discern Your will and courage to fly like a butterfly. In Your Son my Savior’s most precious name. Amen
