Life is a journey, and we are either going to allow things that happen on this journey to defeat or deter us, or to catapult us forward. I choose to go forward and I hope you do, too.
One of the best things we can do in life to help us go forward is to learn to appreciate ourselves. Many walking with Christ right now still do not walk well because of the way they see themselves. We are to view ourselves as God sees us . . . as the apple of His eye. Sometimes that’s hard to do when we’ve experienced a painful past, but we rob ourselves of precious years when all we embrace and rehearse is our past mistakes. Look closely now at the word “past” because it means just what it says. Recently, I read this quote--“Failure makes you look back, but faith makes you look up.” Now where are you looking? The past is not meant to define us or to limit our dreams, but to provide us with opportunities of growth, prepare us for our future, and provide enriching experiences while we glean insight into the heart of God and become more like our Savior.
Something else that helps us go forward is a right perception of the purpose of trials. Trials are character refiners and they prepare us and the results position us for our destiny. They are designed to remind us of who brought us through and to shave off any notion of pride that may raise its self-centered and self-promoting head once we are in the position God has for us. The other day, I was discussing trials with a friend of mine and she mentioned that a man in her church commented, “Through trials we kill off our enemies.” The Bible Passage 2 Corinthians 10 came to mind as I pondered his words, specifically, Verses 4-6 “. . . We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (NAS). These enemies play out in our lives in the form of generational curses, fears, wrong choices, vices, seducing spirits, degrading thoughts, wrong relationships, harmful desires, premature decisions, failure, and anything that attacks the quality of life. We don’t often embrace the work God is doing in our lives in the midst of trials, but rather oftentimes, we allow trials to deter us if not stop us altogether. On this journey, life’s battles can become so fierce that we grow weary and we sit down on things that God has ordained for our lives that He's working out through trials and testing. We buckle under the pressure instead of remembering that God’s people of long ago took possession of their promised land while giants yet lived in that land. So don’t give up, because in God’s eyes the dream for your life is still there even though in your heart you may no longer reach for it. It is worth knowing that the very circumstances God plans to use to grow us are the same circumstances the adversary intends to use to cause us to give up. After many painful trials, I have come to the point of realizing that situations and people the adversary uses or attempts to use to taunt and seemingly threaten our inspired dreams, only God can direct us on how to handle those situations. When we thnk we know what to do and follow our well-thought out plan, God always lets us know that battles are won by following His plan. If we keep our focus firmly fixed on Him, walk securely with our Savior, and prayerfully and discerningly watch as doors open, God will get us there and He will win the battle through us. When He has something for you, just remember it is already done. He’s already worked out your victory. Fighting for something that God has said is already yours may not seem logical, but He builds character during life’s battles and He gives us a story to tell.
If you are working on your future while still living in your present situation, it may be hard but keep pursuing your God-given dream just as long as He keeps it alive in your spirit. Stay watchful for the adversary who will send one of his own or use someone that doesn’t belong to him to try to stop you in your tracks or slow down your progress. And remember, though years may have passed by since that God-given dream was planted in your heart, it doesn’t mean that things won’t work out well for you now. Keep trying because I believe they will.
As an author, I am excited about my first book and would like to share it with you. My current book is titled—Your Creation Declares Your Glory! The stories included in this book employ nature to address man’s relationship with God. They enlighten the reader about how the simple things around us make known to us much about God’s presence and His desire to speak to us, while revealing eternal truths that help us live life more wisely. In Romans 10:18, we are told—“. . . the voice of nature bearing God’s message has gone out to all the earth and their words to the far bounds of the world.” Creation is not silent when it comes to its Creator. Click HERE to find out more details about my book and to place an order.
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