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WINTER OF TRIAL by Janet Brown

4/23/2013

 
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“Faith grows best in the winter of trial.”
Rutherford




As spring comes into full bloom, we sometimes see remnants of winter and flowers that persevere despite the cold with endurance and staying power. The strength of spring is tested by a WINTER OF TRIAL. 

The staying power of any athlete is the willingness to persevere.  This quality alone puts them in a category all by themselves.  It takes them through the winter of grueling workouts, rigorous practices, and challenging games.  At the culmination of competition is the reward of spring - conquering at their highest ability.

About a year ago I wrote about a young mother who had been recently diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in one breast.  As a Christian she immediately asked for prayer and purposed to find God’s plan in all of this. Her WINTER OF TRIAL included unexpectedly finding out it was stage 4 and in both breasts, dealing with many severe set-backs following a radical double-mastectomy, and withstanding months of chemo and radiation.  Today, a year and 3 month later, she is recovering following her final scheduled surgery for her permanent implants.  A joyful season of spring is upon her as she faithfully and patiently trusted God during those cold "winter" months of her life. 

The above account is severe, but in reality all of us live in a society today that perpetuates winter.  Our unstable economic and social environment causes our collective stress level to rise. Whether it is an individual or a national WINTER OF TRIAL, peace and soothing calm can be ours
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“Learn to calmly endure the stress (or as the Bible expresses it, “trials and tribulations”) with genuine patience and faith instead of anger and frustration, and an amazing thing happens: The stress, rather than making us sick and debilitated, actually serves to make us stronger, more at peace and more whole.” 
(from a commentary by David Kupelian,  April 2013 issue of WND’s Whistleblower magazine)

Having staying power or the ability to endure is the definition of patience.  In our WINTER OF TRIAL it is faith in the One who made us that results in a staying power that is sure to bring spring.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces patience.  Let patience finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV

Blessings…as your winter becomes a perfectly complete spring.

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224


Bill Dunn
4/23/2013 03:05:09 am

Well done, Janet ...

Mom, continued
4/23/2013 11:18:22 am

i thought of 2 songs "Have patience, have patience, don't be in such a hurry" (I recall Jayme and I singing this one!) The other one, a childhood LTL song: Early in the springtime, neath the smiling sun,
Blossoms waken softly, smiling every one. All the little flowerlets. yellow pink and blue, nod a happy greeting as they say "How-do-you-do" But something more is needed as everyone will know, it takes a lot of sunshine to make the blossoms grow. The weeds must be uprooted, the plants be tended well, in the little springtime gardens of the LTL. (a kids program we had, learning how to take care of body, mind and spirit. (Loyal Temperance Legion).


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    About the Author... 
    JANET BROWN

    As a veteran coach's wife, Janet invites you to join her in "Changing the world for Christ...one athlete at a time".Through the language of sports and life experiences, Janet uniquely exposes the character of God and His desire for "sportmoms" to WIN BIG in life. Her behind-the-bench view invites us into a world of triumphant wins and tragic personal loss.


    LIFE EXPERIENCE

    From being a mother of 2 to a spiritual mom to many, the road of life for Janet includes these hallmarks:

    - Gave her "heart to Jesus"     at 6 years old
    .
    - Studied Education/          Psychology at a Christian  College

    - Enjoyed earning her wings  and flying as a Flight    Attendant

    - Is the wife of Coach Dave Brown since 1967.

    - Involved in ministry to women for 30+ years including: Retreat Facilitator and speaker, Bible Study leader, National Women's Ministry Leader

    - Held an executive position in the corporate world for 35 years.

    - Developed and taught Pre-married and Marriage classes with her husband for 12 years. 

    Currently is a writer, grandmother to 4 and a coach's wife.


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