I've had something on my heart for a little while. I don't know if I'm hyper-sensitive to people's emotions or if I'm perhaps surrounded by people that have big problems. I would venture to guess it's a bit of both. Regardless, people have problems. People have big problems. I'm not excluding myself in the 'people' word either. I don't discount for a second how tough life can be. I got stories. I gots lots of stories. (Yes, I know that's not proper grammar, didn't intend it to be for you OCD'ers out there.)
Where was I? Oh yes. People and problems. I don't claim to be the know-it-all nor do I feel that I know it all. I do, however, know that God inspires people that are sensitive to Him and His Word. I feel inspired. I feel like someone needs to understand this concept. Read on, oh, blog stalkers, you. :)
I've noticed we like to talk about our past, our problems, our fears, our ... everything that is WRONG or bad. We like to TALK about it. We like to STEW in it. We stew in it so much that we bond with those problems and shortcomings until it's a part of our make-up, who we are. But ... wait. God's Word is given to us by inspired men that were walking and talking with Jesus, God Himself. We live (well, most of us I hope) under anointed, spirit-filled ministering of the word, of song, of exhortation. We live in the realm of victory. Yet, many times we walk in the realm of defeat. Why? Why do we continuously fold into the same situations? The same thorns that were gouging our eyes 5 years ago are still in our lives. WHY?!
I don't know. I told you I'm not the all-knowing one here! :) I do have an idea though. It may not be true for some but I sincerely believe some people don't see it and then the other group see it but make a choice to ignore it for many reasons. The truth being, when you have the tools to become victorious and don't use them - that's what some people call ... stubborn? Defiant? Rebellious? Blind? Maybe confused. I dare not say stupid. But I thought it!
Our Tools :
1. The Word of God
2. The power of prayer
3. The preaching of the Word
4. Positive, influential people in our lives
5. The power of your WILL (choices)
So what am I trying to convey? I'm trying to convey that if we walk around mumbling and grumbling that 'a situation' is not what it needs to be. Then FIX IT! You have all the tools you will ever need.
Luke 10:19
"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
I think that is a pretty fair example that God gives us authority to overcome. Did you notice I said authority? That means you have the right to control the issue. You have the right to settle the issue.Some of us think that we don't have a right to do anything but complain or whine. Why do we sometimes mistake the word authority for this thought, "Oh, well God didn't mean that word for ME. He meant it differently to ME. Because I'm so .... __________" bad, unworthy, messed-up, far from Him, content, satisfied with mediocre ... Isn't that how we sometimes view that?
Galatians 5:16-17
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want."
Sometimes I think we forget what we're doing. I honestly do. If you are in this thing to live for God, to be saved, to help save others and to make it to Heaven it would be a purely simple formula that would look something like this:
Love God + Following His plan (repentance, baptism & receiving the Holy Ghost -an awesome gift) + Live according to His Word + Submit your will to Him + Have a daily walk with Him = fulfillment and peace even when you don't have the answers as to WHY you're facing what it is you're facing.
But instead we make it like this:
Love God + Follow His plan + Get sidetracked in ourselves + Don't submit our will to His + Problems are now magnified more than He is + Sudden feeling that He doesn't love us (self pity) + I'm going to give up because God just isn't coming through for me = A life of empty, hollow, church-going, sadness
We must live in HIM. In His realm of life-changing power.
Ephesians 6:10-17
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
See, yet another list of all the amazing tools we have to use. AT OUR FINGERTIPS. These are not just scriptures to hear a preacher speak. They're not just great, cool, awesome scriptures. You have to believe them. Having faith that even though I don't know how this works, I believe it will change me. With prayer, you will begin to see these words as a light. Your path will be brighter and clearer when you have spoken to Him through your trials. We can't just set our clock for 15 minutes a day in prayer. We must allow His presence to take us in. How? Worship. Worship. Worship. When you need a breakthrough, there is nothing more powerful than worship. When you have a great day, there is nothing more powerful than worship. When you magnify HIM, you minimize YOU. You won't be able to understand what others are griping and complaining about because you know how to magnify. It's a way of life.
When you finally decide to be submissive to Him and His Word and speak to Him daily, no matter what your emotions are flaring up about -- you will see a change. When you don't feel it. Do it anyway. I'm pretty sure He wasn't really up to being nailed to a cross that day either.
Get your magnifying glass out. Keep it out. It will change who you are and you will become who He wants you to be.
