By Anita Estes –
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).
Here in the Northeast where I live, spring is awaited like a bridegroom for the bride. After a winter of battling freezing temperatures (though this winter has been easier than most), the warmth of sunshine defrosts body and soul. Buds form on trees, flowers burst into life, and children are seen playing outside once again. The icy grip of winter is replaced with glorious life.
![fall scents for your home](http://www.livingbetter50.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Our-Aroma-Opium-Oil-Banner-2.jpg")
For the believer (especially those who are not getting younger anymore!), we need to remember this new life is available for us every day. The resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead is the same Spirit given to us. Think about that. Jesus suffered terrible physical and emotional pain that led to a torturous death. Yet, evil’s kiss of death could not stop God’s astonishing resurrection power. And we who are children of God have that same life living inside of us!
As we age, we tend to lose physical stamina, but that doesn’t need to be true all the time. Living a godly lifestyle can increase our vitality, especially as we learn to lay down our burdens of sorrow and despair. We don’t need to look for Jesus in the tomb. He is no longer there! Christ has conquered death so that you may “have it (life) more abundantly.”John 10:10.
Are there trials and sorrow in life? Surely so, but we do not need to be destroyed by them for Christ has given us the victory. “Yet in all these things (tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril and sword), we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
As a young Christian I liked to think of myself as a conqueror, though I was riddled with envy, self-pity and pride. I didn’t even know I felt this way until I started facing difficulties, which brought all of these feelings to the surface. As I began to endure some fiery trials of loneliness, rejection and near poverty, I learned how to walk, step by step, in victory. During this time I buried myself in the Word of God and prayer. I learned about the true nature of God, not what others said about Him, and what He wants for me.
It is God’s love that brought me through. Like Paul, I became convinced that nothing “shall separate us (me) from the love of God” (Romans 8:15). We cannot only endure our furnaces of affliction, but come out on the other side with pure gold. For these challenges are not intended to kill us, but to burn off the waste products or dross in our lives.
If we can have this view of trials, then bitterness, envy, malice, hatred and strife can be put to death, for these are the enemies of resurrection life. It is these among others, our sin nature, which nailed Christ to the cross. Yet God did not allow sin to keep His Son buried, neither does He want that for His other children. The power of God’s love is strong enough to reach down into our tomb where all our secret sins lay hidden and expose them. Daughters put your sins on the cross where they belong, and allow God’s life to quicken your mortal bodies. Yes, He can actually increase your strength as you age and renew you physically!
No matter your age, you can arise and throw off the grave clothes of depression and despair. Spring has dawned upon the land, and new life will burst through the ground. Behold the first signs are already here. The seed has taken root, and it’s pushing through the earth. The first rays of sunshine can be felt. Gather your strength, aided by the Son of God, and pick up your head, (grey hairs and all). A new world full of His Son-shine awaits you!
Dear Father,
Help me to live life as You would want. Sometimes I get distracted by the things of the world or discouraged by the physical and emotional battles. Teach me how to live in Your presence and draw from Your Son’s life. I want to live an abundant life. Doing what you want me to do. Show me what that truly means. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Anita Estes resides in the beautiful Hudson Valley of upstate New York with her husband and son. Her work appears in several compilations including God Allows U-Turns, A Cup of Comfort, Deliver Me and Adams Media books. Her devotions have been published in Penned from the Heart, “Upper Room” and on-line. She is the author of When God Speaks: 40 Days of His Promises, Transformed—Inspiring Stories of Freedom and Letters to God on a Prodigal Son—Overcoming Addiction through Prayer. Her blogs: Anita-ThoughtSonChristianity.blogspot.com & http://anitaestes7.blogspot.
1 thought on “Resurrection Life: No Matter the Age!”
Nice thoughts to wake up to, Anita! Beautiful. Thank you.