I’m tired. Hurt. Getting frustrated. Confused. Feeling anger building. Not sure what’s next, nor how to handle the moment. It’s times like this that people flee from stressors. Not me. I hunker down, think it through, and realize there is a way to handle the moment.
Poof! Just like that! I’m feeling better!
Life’s a constantly changing scene of challenges. Where you once thought it was safe, it is suddenly a war zone. Funny thing? You didn’t even know it existed until the first salvo was lobbed across the bows. Then you find out you’ve been in a battle for a while.
Poof! Okay. This is getting tiresome, but I’m fine.
I’ve lived a fairly open life and don’t believe in gotcha or surprises. What you see is what you get! Or, as someone once told me, “You’re comfortable in your own skin.” Someone else said I smiled too much. Of course, I am, and I do! That’s me, like it, or lump it in my skin and with my grin.
Okay. Let’s do another Poof! I’m making it through!
The blows rain over your world, swirling from every direction. You will assume you are at fault if you think about it too much. Don’t give up so easily. You’re more potent than the moment. Always remember that God is before and behind you.
Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:8 NKJV
What’s Going On!??!
We may consider the times the strangest we’ve ever faced, at least in our lifetime, but consider the challenge is not just the natural world! Even if you cannot see or sense it, a huge spiritual battle is waged. Victory is garnered through much prayer and fasting, praising and worshipping, all the while standing strong and waiting on the Lord.
We have scripture to support this!
Therefore submit to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Lament and mourn and weep!
Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:7-10 NKJV
Get your Focus Right! We are in the fight for our spiritual life! It’s found in every corner of life, near and far. You can feel the moment’s fear, but do not lose sight of the battle! Let the Lord lift you!
Poof! You’re okay!
The King of Syria waged war against Israel, but it seemed his every move was revealed. Who’s doing this? There is a prophet in Israel named Elisha, and he knows everything you are planning! Go get him! As the army advanced, Elisha’s servant was fearful. “What are we going to do?”
Elisha Prayed.
Notice something special. He did not ask for anything major against the enemy, only that his servant’s eyes would be open to something he could not see at the moment.
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”
Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.
And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:16-17 NKJV
Maybe this is our present-day challenge. Our eyes are closed to the support system God has provided time and again and all over again. The Bible is full of this kind of story. We’ve limited ourselves to only seeing what the natural eyes can behold.
But, what if we were to pray? God, open my eyes!
God, Open My Eyes!
We are never promised an easy life. Rain, storms, challenges, victories, and yes, even defeats. Jesus chose twelve men to follow him. One was a betrayer, and all died in the fight! We win some, lose some, but God is always victorious.
Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel)… These all died in faith! (Hebrews 11:13) Their lives were not easy, and the challenges were sometimes difficult. Did they give up? No!
For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:14-16 NKJV
Oh, I’ve felt the pangs of sorrow, and the challenges are thick as fleas, but the gnats of this world are not going to get me down!
My eyes are open!
This world is not my home! I’m just passing through! Smack! There goes that gnat! I’m seeking a homeland, and it’s there, not here! But while I’m here, I’ll fight. Duck! There’s some sorrow coming your way! It’s a spiritual battle, that’s sure. Don’t quit, or back up! Don’t give up or turn around. Swat! Just defeated a flea! It’s sooner than we think.
There’s no time like the present time to ensure we are prepared for the challenges. Why? They are here right now!
Lord, Open my eyes!
We are never promised an easy life. Rain, storms, challenges, victories, and yes, even defeats. Jesus chose twelve men to follow him. One was a betrayer, and all died in the fight! We win some, lose some, but God is always victorious. Click To Tweet