Most of us have heard the phrase, “get some backbone” or “they have the spine of a jelly fish”. In today’s culture more people than ever get their feelings hurt, or others are too insensitive when they speak. Perhaps its just a lack of respect or maybe you’re caught up in being offended by everything because our culture has promoted this. (There are some people who even get offended when they look in the mirror!)
Back in the day when somebody had a fist fight you went at it for several minutes, got up, brushed yourself off, shook hands and made up or reconciled, and then went and had a beer or a soda.
Today is a bit different, weapons are drawn more often in a fight, and hatred seems to be foaming at the mouth over topics such as sports, politics, even mass shootings happening because somebody got fired from their job.
Backbone is described as having a strong and healthy spine in our body. If you have no backbone you are a jellyfish. The binder on a book is the backbone for it’s pages and cover.
Hardened hearts drive you to have revenge or retaliate. If anybody had a reason for revenge it was Jesus who innocently suffered and paid the ultimate price, nailed to a cross. He died for you and me so we can experience forgiveness of sin. Only God can soften the hardest of hearts because of His love.
Pilate was bothered to the core when he asked Jesus, “What is truth?” You know how Jesus responded? He responded with silence! He stood there and said nothing.
Jesus shows us real backbone here and it drove Pilate nuts. There are times in life where you have to be still and be silent; allow God to give you the strength to face your foe head on by just doing nothing and being quiet. This shows real backbone and toughness. (Note: There are times we do speak up because we are not doormats).
”Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” Mattew 18:16
The Lord is your backbone and He will justify and He will vindicate you. Pray and ask God to give you His power, His grace, and His Holy Spirit, to face every force and every demon in your life and family today.
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ehesians 1:19-22
Have a great weekend my friend and walk with a straight back and your head up with confidence. Facing every obstacle with no fear.
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Published by Andy
Greetings! My name is Andy Provitola and I live in New England on the South Shore between Boston and the beautiful Cape Cod region.
The purpose of my blogging and writing is to encourage you in your journey here on planet earth. Life is full of pressing issues and problems and my desire is to discover a place for peace, hope, healing, and contentment. I am a follower of Jesus Christ – God’s one and only Son and I discovered these truths along my own personal journey.
Having discovered a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ does not mean I have to be religious to attain the rewards of heaven. The fact is God provides grace for us and accepts us as we are in His image. In other words, we cannot attain heaven or life eternal on our own, but by God’s loving grace and no merit of our own. Simply by accepting Him by faith and believing.
My goal is to continue to find a balance of life from a spiritual and practical perspective with a purpose to please and glorify God in all that I do because of His ‘Gift of Grace’.
God is not transcendent and so far away that he is out of reach with humanity. God desires that His presence lives within us and not just in the galaxies and the universe. Experiencing the unconditional love of God has been so rewarding and while discovering the truth and purpose for my life. Moving forward in this life is not a sprint, but a marathon when it comes to this race here on earth.
I am blogging because I find it is a good way to connect in a much more effective and efficient way when it comes to communicating and interacting with people that I know or do not know. Blogging and writing challenges me and also stretches me specifically in my thoughts, my mind, my emotions, and my spiritual life. To live a vertical relation with God and a horizontal relationship with others.
There will be a variety of topics and subjects to address including youth, young adults, family, singles, seniors, relationships, etc. Some of the topics will include God’s creation and power, depression, loneliness, suicide, hope, healing, setbacks, financial matters, business, stress, anxiety, care, encouragement, and so much more.
I would like to connect with all walks of life, ethnicity, culturally, other religions, socio-economics, and in so many more ways.
I am currently writing a book and several memoirs about my own life and journey . The journey begins at a young age growing up in Malden, Massachusetts, specifically Maplewood Square to where I am today. I became paralyzed from the waist down as a senior in high school and I share how my life changed for the better!
“But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus. To testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious undeserved] grace [which makes us free of guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]. Acts 20:24 Amplified Version
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