Three-Braided Cord

You have probably heard that there is strength in numbers. The three-braided cord makes me think of the Trinity – God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I also see it as two people with Christ in the center.

If you are like me, you tend to keep things bothering you to yourself sometimes. Even though I know my friends and family will pray for and with me. The power of prayer is sometimes overlooked, but James admonishes Christians to confess their sins and pray for one another. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, English Standard Version, Emphasis added). Jesus also told his disciples concerning prayer: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt. 18:19, Emphasis added).

We all go through low times or a season of feeling off; thankfully, they are few and far between. Sometimes, we must go through the valley to get to the next, and sometimes higher, mountaintop. There are also times when the enemy will try to keep us down. He does not want us to share our concerns with others because it makes his job easier.

One morning, on my run, the wind was particularly gusty; at one point, in a straight stretch, it felt like someone had their hand on my forehead holding me back, almost like I was running in place, not making any progress. It can feel the same way when the enemy is interfering – another group leader told me once that she felt like someone had both hands on her shoulders, weighing her down. Have you ever felt like that?

In these times, we must share our burdens and pray, using the spiritual weapons God gives us, putting on the whole armor of God, and always praying in the spirit (Eph. 6:11-18). The enemy must flee by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’s name. Jesus is already a victor over death, the grave, and the devil. We can rely on His strength when we are weak. In Him, our peace returns. “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27, Emphasis added).

In my experience, when I finally blurt out what is troubling me to a trusted friend, the load is lighter because I am no longer carrying it alone. Saying it aloud makes it lose its power and no longer fester inside us. We are not supposed to go it alone. A threefold cord is not quickly broken (Eccl. 4:12, Emphasis added). The ESV Study Bible explains this verse as the great value of plurality – as opposed to being alone.

This reminded me of my homeplace –a bank in our front yard was covered in deep purple irises. When I got older and moved next door, I wanted to dig up a few for my yard, so I tried to divide the many years’ worth of entangled roots to separate them. Even though iris roots are not deeply rooted and are sometimes ‘exposed,’ they intertwine to create a dense mat. Let’s say I didn’t get as many as I had planned. Similarly, some of the tallest and largest trees, coastal redwoods, have no taproots. According to the National Park Service website, “Their roots grow only 10 to 13 feet vertically, and then spread horizontally for 60 to 80 feet, intertwining with the roots of other redwoods in a grove for stability.”

When we feel exposed or weighted down, it is a time to join forces with others, encourage and help carry one another’s burdens (Heb. 10: 23-25; I Thes. 5:11; James 5:16). We can stand firm on the promises of God, in light of Jesus Christ. Jesus promises to always be with us (Matt. 28:20). May we be deeply rooted and grounded in love (Eph. 3:17) as we fight the good fight together (I Tim. 6:12).

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving (Ps. 28:7, Emphasis added).

Joy comes in the morning (Ps. 30:5, Emphasis added).