It has been stated in previous articles it is essential to determine which tire went flat first and then begin to do what is necessary to inflate it. Although our diagram and explanations started with the Physical Tire, it is the Spiritual Tire that usually goes flat first.
In the face of difficulties have you ever asked, or heard someone exclaim, “Oh God, Why did you let this happen to me?”
Not to be critical, but this statement is evidence of a Spiritual blowout not just a Spiritual flat tire. Why so? God intends that our Spiritual Tire should sustain our Physical, Mental and Emotional Tires.
What am I not saying? I am not saying if we keep our Spiritual Tire properly inflated we will never experience physical, mental or emotional distresses. All of the above are incidental to our life-experiences.
Scripture speaks to this issue through many passages.
“But, Tom,” you may be asking me in your mind’s voice, “How can I do this when life has me running on four flat tires? Have you ever been through this yourself?”
“Yes.”
April 27, 1987 started just like the day before. However that evening my left retina detached. Since my right retina had detached in November 1979, and after one surgery and a brief convalescent period, my life was back to normal. Not so this time.
To make a long story short, during seven major surgeries in the 13 weeks that followed I lost the vision in my left eye and almost died twice according to medical reports from two surgeons. The first was May 1, 1987 and the second June 22, 1987. In many respects, my life has not been the same since that fateful day.
During one of the near death experiences, the doctors having given me all the painkillers they could without ending my life, I was left alone in my room neither them nor me knowing whether or not I would survive my struggle for life.
While laying in the hospital bed weeping and writhing in the most horrendous pain I have ever experienced, I began singing to myself in what must have sounded like guttural babbling the chorus to one of my favorite hymns, “And I know what ere befalls me, Jesus doeth all things well.” I sang that over and over knowing it could be the last song I sang.
No, I am not a Super-saint or holier than thou. I am a sinner saved by Grace. But to put this event in context for teaching this principle, my Physical, Mental and Emotional Tires were flat – but my Spiritual Tire was not.
Now, back to Scripture.
Isaiah 26:3 KJV: “Thou (God) wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind (or thought, or imagination) is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
The Application Study Bible comments: “We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but with God we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. When we are devoted to Him our whole attitude is steady and stable. Supported by God’s unchanging love and mighty power we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos as attested to in Philippians 4:7: ‘And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’”
God is already prepared to “keep us in perfect peace” throughout life’s struggles and challenges; but our minds must “be stayed on him.”
How do we do this?
Dr. Ed Wheat, M.D., in his book Love Life For Every Married Couple states, “We become best friends with those whom we spend the most time.”
How much time are we spending with God? Is it enough to keep our Spiritual Tire fully inflated?
To keep our Spiritual Tires properly inflated spend more time with God through prayer, service to Him and others and through the giving of ourselves and our resources.
Next time: Life’s 4 Tires Carry Life’s 2 Loads
