By Leigh DeLozier (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads)
The spider web clung to the porch, anchored by two posts and the railing. It was small and its silk so fine that it was easy to overlook. I only noticed it because sunlight reflected off a few raindrops caught from the morning’s showers.
Watching it flutter in the breeze made me think of myself in certain situations. Because, yes, even a spider web can teach us about faith if we’re paying attention.
Faith lessons from a spider web
1. We’re stronger than we look (and stronger than we might think we are).
Despite its thin and wispy appearance, spider silk is incredibly tough and is stronger by weight than steel and most man-made or natural fibers on earth. We’re also stronger than we might appear because God helps strengthen us for whatever we might face.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
2. We don’t have to give in to every bit of opposition.
The breeze made the spider web billow back and forth. Several times I thought it would tear free of the posts, but it stayed anchored in place. We’re the same way — we don’t have to give in or change course when circumstances try to best us. We know opposition will crop up again and again, especially when we’re determined to focus on what God wants us to do. No one ever said that following God would be easy. But it’s so, so worth fighting to do what we know is right.
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 ESV)
3. We might have scars, but we can keep going.
The spider web wasn’t perfect. Several sections in the design — including two large ones — gaped empty. Whether the imperfections were caused by previous winds tearing it, an insect escaping before becoming ensnared, or something else, the web had survived some damage. We can look back, too, and see where God has helped us persevere through painful times. Health challenges. Grief. Financial difficulties. Job loss. Conflicts with loved ones. Those are the times when we realize we can’t take another step, can’t make another decision, without God. And when we ask Him, He helps us through.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV)
4. We have unique characteristics that make us beautiful.
I’ve always viewed spider webs as miniature works of art, with patterns sometimes so intricate that it boggles my mind to think they’re created by such tiny creatures. Spiders have different designs they use for creating their webs and different types of silk for various parts of the web. Each aspect has a purpose and is important. In the same way, we’re all different while also being the same — and each of us is important. God knew us before we were created, and He knows us better than we know ourselves. He didn’t intend for us to be like everyone else. We are uniquely ourselves and that’s exactly how He wants us to be.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16 NIV)
I love how the most ordinary things can give me a fresh perspective or help me learn something new about God or faith. If you enjoy that, too, you might want to read my older post about what daisies teach us about faith.
Your turn: What’s a lesson you’ve learned in nature recently? Share about it in the comments below to help encourage someone else!
Nature can teach us many things about ourselves and faith if we pay attention. Here are four lessons a spider web can teach us. #GodsCreation #seeingGod
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4 things a spider web teaches about faith. #faithjourney #seeingGod
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OMGoodness Ms. Leigh. I’m not sure where to start. What have I learned from nature recently? Jeesh, I’m surrounded by it daily. Let’s see: Multi-generational livestock trails, even chickens could be an angel, curiosity can leave a scar, corkscrew claw is hereditary, why you shouldn’t carry a cow after 260 days of gestation anywhere, and what happens when we’re rotted inside. Lots of lessons. I often refer to our little ranch as “God’s Classroom.” Loved the post, ma’am. Thank you!