" SUSTAINED BY A RIGHT SPIRIT"

by Mrs. Bettie Upton

Maranatha Ladies Meeting

June 9, 2007

Have you ever thought about how quiet the classroom during a test? The teacher doesn't speak during a test. That makes me think of times when God is testing us and we sometimes wonder why the test or why God doesn't give seem to hear when we pray for answers to our trials?

Because I am a teacher, I can have the teacher additions with all the problems worked out and all the answers. In life we have the answers too, in God's Word where we can always have our spirits sustained and uplifted and find His plan, His answers.

A proper attitude toward adversity can help a person be victorious in the battles of life. When distress or bitter disappointment comes, for example, the optimistic, joyous believer weathers the storm much better than one who is pessimistic.

Ephesians 3:23 tell us not to faint, IICor. 4: 16 and 17 says "For this cause we faint not: but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day, for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory .• "

The writer of Proverbs noted that a "merry heart doeth good like a medicine (Prov. 17:22) and that the spirit of man will sustain his infirmity." Of course, my translation of this verse is, "A merry heart will keep you from having to take medicine."

Laughter is a simple, yet, reasonable prescription for some of life's

ills and most of it's problems. A 'right spirit' could be translated as a "healthy, tranquil mind" as found in (Prov. 4: 22) "For they,my words, are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh." A healthy mind produces a healthy body says (Phil. 4:11&13) Verse eleven says, "whatever state I am, to be content." and verse thirteen says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

My Mother is a great example to me. She has always had such a lighthearted, happy, attitude, even while facing some of life's hardest trials. She will be 100 years old in July. Yes, a merry heart doeth good like a medicine and sustains our infirmities. Her mother, my grandmother, whose name was Lily Mae, was the same way. Happy, joyful, and in simple faith, trusting the Lord with all her heart. Bore 13 children into this world. Never had many earthly possesions, but her last words as she was leaving this earth were, "Joy, Joy, Joy!"

A gracious, right spirit, enhances a woman's demeanor, while a selfish heart tarnishes her appearance and limits her effectiveness for Christ. After we have received God's great forgiveness and love it should increase a woman's sensitivity to another's needs. A Christian reflects God's love and we are admonished to have a right spirit and to always speak with kindness and truth (Cot. 3:12, 13) This right spirit is the fruit of a Godly character, coming from a heart committed to the Lord and thus becomes a tool for drawing others to the Savior.

Sometimes we need to find humor in adversity. I remember an old song from my childhood entitled, "Life Gets Tedious, Don't It?" I think it's funny and I want to recite some of it for you.

The sun comes up, 'n the sun goes down, the hands on the clock keep a'goin' around, I just git up 'n it's time to lay down,

life gits tee-jus, don't it?

The water in the well's gettin' lower and lower, can't take a bath for six months more,

but I heard it said and it's true I'm shore

that too much bathin' jist weakens ye.

01' hound dog howlin' so forlorn, craziest dog that ever was born,

He's howlin' cause he's sittin' on a thorn, just to lazy to move over.

Tin roof leakin' the chimney leans, I tore a hole in my 01' blue jeans, I've ate the last of my pork n' beans, Life shore gits tee-jus, don't it?

The Palmist David in Ps. 2:4 declares that God Himself sits in the heavens and laughs and David in Prov. 31:25 describes the woman of strength as one who rejoices (or laughs at) times to come. Life can be taxing sometimes and moments come when we desperately need a change. Laughter is one way the Creator gave us to switch gears and change monotony into joy. Philippians 4:4 tells us to "rejoice in the Lord alway: and AGAIN I say REJOICE." The word rejoice in the Webster Dictionary has a very simple definition, "be glad."

Now it wasn't easy for me to rejoice when we received a message that our son, Don, had a very serious accident at work. While we were on our way to the hospital in Charlotte, not knowing the extent of his injuries, the verse came to my mind, "give thanks in all

things ..• " I began to pray in my heart, "Lord, I'm giving you thanks right now. I don't know what we will find when we get there but I am thanking you for I know you would never allow anything to

happen to Donnie that was not in your will." It was God's will to take Donnie Home three days later. Where is this "rejoicing" then?

I'll tell you, it is right there in your heart for God never leaves us and when we are suffering and our spirits need lifting, He is there. It's unexplainable, but He is there. His grace is sufficient and it will sustain our spirits no matter what trials we bear.

In Eph. 3:16 The apostle Paul prayed for the new believers in Ephesus, asking God to strenghthen them with might by His spirit "in the inner man". Paul knew if they maintained the right attitude and were empowered by the Lord, they could meet any calamity with serenity and composure. The right spirit and mental attitude enables us to transcend and triumph over all of life's adversities. It is God's will that we have a positive or optimistic attitude. The scriptures tell us not to be of a doubtful mind and to have within us the mind of Christ. Having the mind of Christ we will always express the right spirit.

In the midst of trouble, and you find yourself like Peter, watching the waves instead of Christ, shift your focus back to God, then your spirit will be renewed and refreshed and you will be able to handle whatever was causing the trouble in the first place.

Having the right spirit WITHIN brings about longsuffering as well as joy, as Paul prayed for the Colossians in Col. 1 :9-12. " Patience" in the Greek means, "bearing up under." We are to be patient with others even when we are facing adversity. (Rom. 5:3-5) Longsuffering means "to put fury far off while suffering wrong or injustice." Believers who walk in the right spirit develop a

patience that no person can defeat. (Eph. 4:1-3) We should be encouraging to others with a gentle spirit. As Christians we sometimes bear hard trials. We need to share with each other the

times when the Lord brought us through hardships and how His grace is always sufficient for our needs.

The following writing is not from a spiritual aspect. I was substituting in Shelby Middle School years ago during "Black History Month" and found this in a book of poems on the teacher's desk. I was very intrigued with the message and made a copy for myself. Later while writing our sons who were in college, I sent them a copy in their letter to encourage them to keep going no matter how hard it may seem at times.

The title is "Mother to Child"

"Well child, life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

It's had tacks in it and loose boards, places where there ain't been no carpet.

Bare.

But I's still climbin' honey, and I's still reachin' landin's,

so don't you set down on them steps 'cause you finds it kind 'er hard, 'Cause I's still climbin' and life for me ain't been no crystal stair."

This was written by a little southern black mother writing the best she knew how, out of great love to encourage her child and showing that child that right and unconquerable spirit. So I want to encourage each one of you, especially the young mothers, Don't set down cause you have so much to do, keeping house, cooking, washing, shopping, home schooling, teaching Sunday School, Children's Church, nursery, choir, Bible School next week, etc, etc ... No, don't set down. Keep climbing toward the prize of the high

God hath not promised skies always blue, flower strewn pathways all our lives through. He hath not promised sun without rain,

life without sorrow, joy without pain.

BUT GOD hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way.

Grace for the trials, help from above,

unfailing kindness, undying love.

The Lord's promises sustains us and gives us this merry heart of rejoicing in the face of adversity. It causes the right spirit to shine forth to those around us, even when our heart is heavy because of disappointments, unsaved loved ones, wayward children, and many other things that come into our lives. But praise the Lord, He giveth more grace when our burdens grow greater. He sendeth more strength when our labors increase. To added afflictions, he addeth His mercy. To multiplied sorrow, He multiplies peace.

There's a story of a Christian lady who had always been faithful in the work of the Lord, and she was greatly loved by everyone who knew her. Even when faced with trying circumstances, she displayed a beautiful spirit. One day a friend asked her why she never seemed to be disheartened by life's difficulties. She replied, "I have special ointments for all such problems. For vexations caused by people, I apply affection. For those caused by circumstances, I apply prayer. If infirmities or unexpected obstructions hinder my well-laid plans, I use the simple phrase, 'Thy will be done." It's no wonder she was known for her beautiful spirit.

I remember Pastor Nathan recently telling the story of James Ireland who was in prison for taking his stand for the Word of God. Brother Ireland wrote a letter to his friends and signed it, "From my palace in Culpepper prison." Oh what a sweet, spirit!

With the Lord on the inside, we can stand anything on the outside.

One little mountain man said, "Lord I'm not asking you for enough faith to move yonder mountain. I kin take enough dynamite to move

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it if'n I want to. I'm jest askin' you for enough faith to move ME."Now that sounds like a prayer I would have to pray. I need to constantly remind myself, through the scriptures, that the sustaining faith I need to live this 'right spirited life .. IS THERE FOR ME. I need only to avail myself of what He, in His loving grace, has already provided.

"Gold cannot be refined and purified without the fire, nor can gold be polished without much friction."

Adversities and trials are for our own good. They are to refine us and polish us so that we can shine for Him. As in a song I have sung many times, "I've known many tears and sorrows, I've had questions about tomorrow, there have been times I didn't know right from wrong, but in every situation, God gave blessed consolation that my trials only came to make me strong."

Dearly beloved sisters, when we become negative because we are burdened by life's problems, let's pray as David prayed in Psalm 51:10, "0 God ... renew a right spirit within me."

I would like to read my closing prayer as you bow your heads:

Gracious God, our hearts renew, Make our spirits right and true. Let no trials our faith erase, Give to us sustaining grace.

In your lovely Name I pray, Amen!

Written and Lived out daily by a godly and precious friend, Mrs. Bettie Upton