The Butterfly's Struggle

Several years ago, I heard the story, "The Butterfly's Struggle" on a local Christian radio station, (WRB-S 95.1 FM). It had such an inspirational impact on me that I wanted to share it and my thoughts...

Whenever I have life struggles, I press on because I know that without the struggles I could never fly high as the God has planned for me. My faith has grown deeper with each struggle as I follow the path prepared for me.

So, when I see a butterfly flying high, I smile because I know that as the butterfly flies strong and free... it is through God's divine plan. And God has a plan for me!

"...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven...."
Matthew 6:10 (KJV)

Blessed be the Name of The Lord.

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The Butterfly's Struggle
(Author Unknown)

A man found a cocoon for a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no farther. Then the man decided to help the butterfly.

He took a pair of scissors and snipped the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. Something was strange. The butterfly had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and deformed wings. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand, was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the small opening of the cocoon are God` 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 cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life.

If God allowed us to go through all of our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Not only that, we could never fly.

My Butterfly Story: The Words of Faith

Over the years, many of my "Steps of Faith" have been bookmarked with a butterfly symbolizing the metamorphosis or marked change in condition brought with each step. Thus, "My Butterfly Story" is a collection of inspired verses, photos, and thoughts from my quiet moments with God. "My Butterfly Story" is my personal reflection on "marked changes" in my spiritual condition as I grow deeper and stronger in faith.

"My Butterfly Story" started with the photo below, so let's start there...

"The Words of Faith"(Cherry/1999)

This beautiful, brown butterfly is a special bookmark...
It was photographed on a bright Sunday morning after I had just listened to a spiritually moving message at my church. As I was walking and reflecting on the message, the butterfly crossed directly in front of me. Then, it perched on a blossom-covered bush beside me. So, I paused to watch as it fed on the nectar of the nearby blossoms. It never moved from the blossoms. Not even when I slipped out my camera and took several photos of it. The butterfly's attention was solely focused on the source of it's nourishment... the nectar.

So, this feeding butterfly is a bookmark for me...

Words of Faith
As nectar nourishes a butterfly,
the words of faith nourish me.
So, I feed on God's Word
For it strengthens me.

Bible Scripture
"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."
                            1 Timothy 4:6 (KJV)

 

 

 

Text and photographs © 1999 Sally Cherry. All rights reserved.

Faith-related Links

During my daily reading, I found the following faith-related articles...

Should I Wait in Faith--Or Step Out in Faith?

Stepping out in Faith

From Fear to Faith

Feel free to share your favorite faith-related link(s).

Steps of Faith

"Stepping Out... In Faith" "Steps of Faith", is a Christian blog to spread the word of God's grace, goodness, and love. It is a humble way to share daily experiences, thoughts, and faith-related links. I pray for the wisdom to see The Lord's path for me. I prayer for the strengthen to embrace the path. As I walk the path, I know that The Lord will not leave me. You are invited to share your comments. Trust In The Lord

"If You Want to Walk On Water..."

You are invited to read, and discuss books within the "Steps of Faith" Reading Group. To join, simply select, and read a featured book. After reading the book, or during your reading, feel free to you can post your thoughts, or comments about the book.

The first book, "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat" is a very uplifting and inspirational book. The author is Pastor John Ortberg (Zondervan Publishing House, 2001). The book teaches how to stay focused on Jesus Christ during the "stormy" times of one's daily walk.

A little while ago, The Lord lead one of His faithful servants to share the book with me. Now, I want to share it with you...

If You Want to Walk on Water,
You've Got to Get Out of the Boat

Reading Group

Welcome to the "Steps of Faith" Reading Group

You are invited to read, and discuss faith-related books within the "Steps of Faith" Reading Group.

To join, simply select, and read a featured book. After reading the book, or during your reading, you are invited to post your comments about the book. Please feel free to share your thoughts about the books' effect on your daily Christian walk.

Featured Christian Books

If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat
   Author: Pastor John Ortberg