How Do You See Life?
As An Uphill Climb or With Wings of Faith!
A woman at my yard sale was telling me she just wanted to live after dealing with a health issue. She wanted her old life back and did not want to incorporate changes that would make and keep her well. As she kept saying that she just wanted to live, I could not help but ask her if she was alive right now. She was stunned and after a little thought said yes she was. I suggested that she focus on the life she does have rather than looking back and analyzing what she no longer has. Her family was intact and very supportive through it all. That in itself is a blessing beyond measure.
A Different Slant
On the converse another woman came to the sale. She had been through a very similar health crisis. However, in her case her husband left her and she had to relocate in the midst of the challenge she faced. She was literally aglow with thanksgiving for all the blessings she encountered on her journey. Although she could have done without what she had to endure, she could not stop talking about all the Lord had done and was doing in her life. She saw His hand in it all as He walked her through. Her faith in His plans for her was palpable.
Which Focus Would You Choose?
Both of these women are believers yet the disparity in their vision was extreme. The first woman had her husband’s and family’s support. The second woman was abandoned by her spouse. They were challenged with the same critical health issue yet what they each chose to see is so very different. It is not what you look at that matters but what you see. If your focus is situation intense you can miss God in the process. No matter how something may look in the natural, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) It is up to each of us to not just constantly quote this Scripture but to walk it out. If we know all things work together then we can have faith that God will fulfill His Word.
He will provide in a difficult season as He did for the Israelites in the wilderness. The key is to be thankful for the provision and press through. We are truly living in challenging times. Life can be hard but when we lose sight of our faith and trust in the Lord we diminish the anointing that will carry us through. God graces us for what challenges us. His grace for my situation is different than His grace for your situation. In any case, however, His grace is sufficient.
Have Faith and Judge Not
It occurred to me when speaking with these two women that judgment of the heart (and it is always a heart issue) was at the core of their view. Although both are now healed, praise God, one judged her life today as less than she would like. The second woman was excited as she anticipated God’s next move in her life. Her judgment of the situation was most positive. Out the heart flow the issues of life. A heart fixed on God does not judge but rather awaits His next move.
When thinking of judging we most often apply it to judgment of other people rather than situations. Do you have a negative judgment about some aspect of your life other than the people in it? Are you angry or frustrated by something that has not changed in a way you would have it change? Do you wish for days gone by that were seemingly better? Yesterday is long over and tomorrow is not yet here. We have no guarantee of our future on earth. God is moving now. He is working all things together for you now. Step into your now and live in the moment in the present flow of His grace in your life. Do not judge but rather surrender to His process in your heart and for you. Listen for the still small voice to guide you. He is faithful to perform His Word in your life. Do not look at the uphill climb. Let the wings of faith carry you.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“Truly my soul silently waits for God…He is my defense; I will not be greatly moved…” Psalm 62:1a, 2b
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
“Your faith has made you well.” Jesus, Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34, Luke 17:19
“Your faith has saved you.” Jesus, Luke 7:50, Luke 18:42
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our frontline on the battlefield, let us be their frontline in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi and for safety in Israel. Pray for those affected by tornadoes and severe flooding in our country this week. Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we may arise united in this auspicious season in our country’s history.
Please Join Me In Prayer
Father we thank You that You are ever faithful to provide. Grace us to judge not in any capacity. Lead us to live in a daily atmosphere of thanksgiving. Keep us ever under the shadow of Your wings and safe in the cleft of the rock. Let our focus be only on You and not on our own circumstance. Grace us with unshakable faith as we walk out Your will for our life. Thank You that Your plans for each of us are for hope and a future. Let all be for Your glory. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen and amen.