Overcoming Negative Circumstances

"Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens.  Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.  Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.  Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you." -Ps 143:7 & 8

Sometimes life is hard.  When we go through difficult seasons, we may question God's presence, His goodness, His love for us, or the dreams He placed within us.  "Why on earth would this happen to me, God, if You are loving and just!?" we may ask.

However, this is exactly the posture the enemy wants us to have.  Whenever bad things happen, as they did to Job, the enemy wants to get in the middle and tell us God doesn't love us, He doesn't care about us, and He doesn't have a plan for our lives. He wants us to turn against our God.  These statements are a complete and total lie!

But, how do we get to the truth, when all our circumstances point to the negative?  It may be that we have never known anything besides the negativity that surrounds us. 

First, we need to get in the word, to read what God says about us and our situation.  We need to pray, even if we don't feel like it.  We need to worship, to praise God in spite of whatever is going on - in His word it says that praise is the antidote for heaviness.  (Is 6:13) We need to get around encouraging people.  And most of all we need to believe - to have faith that in spite of any difficulty, our God is still victorious.  We have to realize that we live in a fallen world, and that God does not want us to go through negative things, but He will use them for our good. (Romans 8:28)

Are you going through something negative right now?  Stay in faith, let God be your hope, and even if things don't change immediately stay in faith that God will do what He promised. The answer may not come at the time we expect, but it doesn't change the fact that God loves us, and sent His son to die for us, so that we could live in heaven, eternally with Him.

Spiritual Warfare

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

If we think we live in a world where there is no enemy distracting us and trying to keep us from the purpose, plan, and true intention of God's will for our lives, we are deceived. Every day, good Christian people get off track because they weren't prepared for the battle that happens every day on behalf of the souls of men, saved and unsaved.
 
If you're a Christian, the enemy's goal is to make you completely spiritually handicapped, either by an emotional wound or by lack of knowledge.
 
If you're not a Christian yet, the entirety of hell wants to make sure you stay that way.
 
My husband and I help administrate a bi-weekly discipleship group for the worship team and anyone creative in our church. Once the night before the group I went to my husband Justin and said, "Babe, I just don't want to do this anymore. I am worn out. I don't really feel like what I'm doing matters. I don't really feel like it's what I need to be doing."
 
The next night at the group was the best we had had yet, with a larger than normal number of people who came. It was a huge blessing to be a part of. The presence of God was very strong. This has also happened to me before an event when I was asked to speak. I was depressed before the event. I was filled with feelings of unforgiveness. But I prayed, and went for it anyway. The outcome was that people were touched and got a lot out of what I had shared. I was sharing on the power of forgiveness.
 
We know that we're right where God wants us to be when we experience a level of spiritual warfare that we wouldn't otherwise experience. It could be illness, emotional fatigue, circumstances, a sour attitude from ourselves or someone close to us, or all of the above. We need to combat these by worship, prayer, asking others for help & prayer, and getting suited up for battle. (Eph 6:11-15) Are you prepared for the battle ahead?


The Resiliency Factor

 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." -Rev 2:17
 
There is a lot of doubt and discouragement in our fallen world. Many bad things happen to innocent people, and many unfair things happen to good people. However, this doesn't give us an excuse to give up fighting the good fight. As Christians, Jesus gives us a special edge - the resiliency factor.

The resiliency factor, or being an overcomer, has to do with being flexible and bendable, but not breakable. This is because we have learned, through the power of Jesus, that we CAN overcome, and not break when circumstances test us. The tree with no roots falls right over. But the grounded tree with roots that sink deep into the ground merely bends when the storms of life come its way. This tree has gone deep into the ground to find water & nourishment. This tree is resilient.

The Bible places a lot of emphasis on overcoming in our lives. We know we can't overcome alone - it is the power of the cross and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives that helps us to overcome. Also, the support of friends and family is very important in helping us get past the obstacles in front of us. But resiliency in the kingdom has special merit to it - not everyone who decides to believe Jesus is the son of God is an overcomer. There is something that separates the doubter from the overcomer, the one who has the resiliency factor. It takes an unwavering perspective that anything, yes, anything, is possible to those who believe, coupled with a strong faith in God. Strong faith says, "There is nothing bigger than my God. My God is bigger than all the giants in my life," in spite of how big our giants may seem.

Have you activated the resiliency factor in your life? I pray that each of us may gain a resiliency in God that helps us overcome any negative thing that comes our way, so that we might in turn become overcomers in the kingdom of God.

Overcoming Evil with Good

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” -Romans 12:21

What does it mean to overcome evil with good? Many days it may seem as though we are being overcome by negativity.  But, how do we get out of the mire? What did God have in mind for the way we should live our lives?

I love the verses leading up to the scripture above: "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves... keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse... If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."  This is our blueprint for walking in love.

When life hits us with hard blows, in order to win, we shouldn't hit back. The natural response is to pay back evil for evil, to lash out or to avenge ourselves, but that only allows the enemy of our souls a foothold in our lives. Instead, we are to be different. Instead, we are to be counter-culture.  We are to overcome evil, by applying the good.  We are to win over the situation by applying God's ways, and by putting Him first.

When we are freed from feeling the need to avenge a negative situation that we have no control over, that's when we know that area in our lives has been redeemed. When we can give freely and walk in peace, that is overcoming. Sometimes continued negativity or drama can become an idol in our lives when we live with it too long.  We have to lay the situation at the foot of the cross. We'll know we're freed from its power when it doesn't bother us anymore. God has instead taken its place in our lives.  We are at ease.

Let us do all we can, and let God handle the rest.  Let us overcome evil with good.

Overcoming Barriers

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." -Romans 12:21
 

Have you ever wanted to get somewhere, but you just felt stuck? Have you ever encountered something you felt was blocking your way that you just couldn't get past? There will always be things in life that will try to hinder us from our intended destinations. The enemy of our souls wants nothing more than to see us stuck and unable to fulfill what God has planned for us! 

Sometimes though, the barrier may be there for a reason. What is God trying to show us? What do we need to change about ourselves or give over to God to get to the next place? Often the barrier is not what we think it is. Sometimes, the barrier is ourselves! Even if we think we are in the right, the barrier is about our growth. 

The Israelites were on their way, fleeing from the Egyptians after finally being released from slavery under the iron hand of Pharaoh. But, no sooner had they left Eqypt that Pharaoh gave orders to pursue them. "As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?'" -Exodus 14:10&11. Clearly, this was not what they had in mind. 

Then Moses said to them in response, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14: 13&14 "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land." (v.21) 

There was no way in the natural the Israelites were going to be able to avoid the Eqyptians. But because Moses stood in faith on behalf of the Israelites and acted in obedience - in spite of dire circumstances - God stepped in and made a way for them.

Is there a "Red Sea" standing in your way today? Pray for God's grace to get you through that situation, and ask to see it through His eyes. God calls us to be overcomers, through Him!

Being Aware of Resistance

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."  -1 Peter 5:8

Have you ever started something you know God had called you to only to be met with extreme resistance?   "Why is this happening to me?" we might ask.  "God, all I'm trying to do is serve you!"

What we fail to realize is that we have an enemy that is "hell bent" on deterring us from our mission.

Things will happen in life.  Demands will continue to be placed on us, problems and issues will arise, and what we have to do will continually try to dissuade us what we feel called to do. 

So how can we push through?

Being aware of our enemy is the first step.  Expecting resistance will better prepare us for that resistance, and developing a plan to tackle that resistance will also help us in defeating it. Reading the word, prayer, worship, and speaking life and truth over situations that we’re going through are tools that can help us overcome.  I know a businesswoman who is continually listening to good preaching (even while she sleeps!) to re-program her brain to overcome.  We also need to be aware of resistance in our personal lives, and manage our time & emotions well (i.e., fatigue, PMS {ladies}, loneliness).

Are you aware of the resistance in your life? Pray today and ask for the Holy Spirit's help in defeating that resistance.  The Holy Spirit is our helper while we are living out our calling on this earth.  (John 14:26)

Having the Grace for It

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." -1 Corinthians 15:10

Have you ever noticed that some things are far easier when God is with us? "God is always with us," you may say, which is true, but have you ever noticed God's favor on some activities and not all activities? Have you ever done something you knew God wanted you to do? Likewise, have you ever done anything you knew God didn't want you to do?

Sometimes what God wants us to do is confirmed by several things in our lives: God's word, the agreement of other trusted people in our lives, God's peace, and, most noticeably, God's active grace accompanying us. We understand the "noun" of God's grace to be His undeserved gift of salvation. But, the Bible also talks about His grace being actively with us to help us accomplish His work on the earth (a verb).

We may be gifted or feel called to do something. But it may not be the season for it. This is discerning God's timing. We may want to step out into something, but notice that we don't feel a peace about it. Other times, we may feel at peace about something we are doing that leads to a godly goal, seems easy, and moves forward in spite of obstacles. In these situations, we work hard, do our best and also experience God's supernatural grace to accomplish the task at hand. It may seem silly, but this grace happens to me in the buying and selling of cars I've owned.

When it relates to God's active grace, we need to be careful we don't step out into something that God has not called us to, or given us the grace for. If we misinterpret our direction, desire to do our "own thing", or stay in something for too long (the grace has lifted) we could experience consequences. We need to be sensitive to God's Holy Spirit in the timing of all of these things.

Do you feel God's grace in what you are doing? Pray that God would show you and give you the grace to accomplish all you are called to. He says, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Matthew 11:30


Taking Ground - A Time to Fight

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." -1 Timothy 6:12 

One morning in Sunday service I heard our pastor talk about covering and protection.  He requested that we cover them in prayer and defend them, and also that we defend and protect each other.  But then he challenged us.  He said, "Sometimes you gotta fight - 'cause that's how you take ground." 

I thought about how much this can be applied to so many different areas of our lives.  For instance, in the workplace:  We want to be promoted or we want to excel in what it is we're doing.  In order to do this, it requires we give more attention and focus that the average person. We learn new things.  We develop a "fighter" spirit within us, doing the best we can with passion, excellence, and a dedicated will.  Sometimes it's not enough to do our work well - sometimes the battle requires that we do all that is necessary to excel - come in early, stay late - and finish the project before it's due.  

Maybe it's a dream that needs fighting for.  Perhaps there is something on the inside of our heart that needs to be birthed into reality.  In order for this to happen, it calls for prayer, support, encouragement, and the dedication needed to bring the dream to pass.  Each and every time something great is born there will be resistance, such as those who doubt us or our dream, or our own uncertainty and fear.  But we must overcome this resistance if we want to see our dreams come to fruition.  

Relationships also need fighting for, and perhaps most especially.  If someone offends us, the Bible says we are to go to that person and talk with them about it. If the person listens to you, you have gained a brother (or sister!) (Matt 18:15)  Maybe we need to call someone we haven't seen in awhile to check in on them.  Perhaps we need to set healthy boundaries with those who tend to take advantage.  Or maybe we need to defend AND fight for someone who we know is doing right.  

There is a right way to fight and a wrong way to fight.  We shouldn't fight with manipulation or underhandedly using procrastination or deceit (our flesh).   We have to keep in mind that we're not fighting against people - we're fighting against the principalities of darkness in ourselves and in others.  The person isn't the issue - it's the issue that's the issue. "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."  (Ephesians 6:12)

Are there things you need to fight for?  Make it a priority to fight for those things that are really important in your life today. 

Overcoming Discouragement

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." -Deuteronomy 31:8  

The Israelites were discouraged. After Moses had sent Joshua and 11 other men to explore the Promised Land for forty days, ten of them came back with a bad report, and the people were upset.
 
"All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, 'If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?'" -Numbers 14:2-4
 
Joshua and Caleb were the only ones with a positive outlook.
 
"Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, 'The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.'" -Numbers 14:6-8
 
How easy is it to look at a situation with natural eyes instead of looking past the challenges and seeing with eyes of faith? Both Caleb and Joshua had faith in their God that He was going to do all that He said He would do. They were living based on God's promises, not on what they saw. So, when they saw the size of the giants in the land, they were not discouraged. They had faith in God that He was greater. But, Joshua also knew that the Israelites had to get their hearts in the right place in order to ensure God's blessing. "Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." -Numbers 14:9
 
How often do we miss what God is doing because we see our situations as bigger than Him?
 
Winston Churchill, British politician known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during World War II once said, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
 
Let us be "faith optimists", and allow God the opportunity to work when we think the obstacles are insurmountable. God delivers on His promises - always! Our part is having faith, trusting that He is bigger and that He has our best in mind. Our God never fails!