Having gone through a lot of frustration, stress and hardship recently I can now see the bigger picture better than I could during the midst of all the problems, I see its purpose. Even when I thought situations were failing because of my bad or Gods bad decisions, sometimes God purposefully places negative events within your life. These specific events are put in place not to destroy, but to introduce life and freedom through the vehicle of hardship.
I have learnt that the true condition of the heart is revealed a lot of the time through situations which make us angry, situations in life were everything goes against your OWN planning, times in life when nothing goes YOUR way. This is were we see how much we really rely on God for every breath we take. The key is character building. “Your gifts and talents can bring you places, were your character cannot keep you”. God wants a heart change.
So often in life we try to play God. One thing I’ve realised is that if you try and play God, you will have an end product which goes by the name of Despair. If you want to fight DESPAIR, your best defence mechanism for Despair is trusting in God.
If we look at many situations within the Bible were Men were found in places of potential Despair, there are plenty. One of my favourites is Joseph, he was a young man who had a lot going for him. Until one day all his brothers were saturated in anger and envy, thus deciding to SELL him as a slave. To be sold by your own blood and sent to a foreign land with no friends or family plus after being completely disowned is a pretty hard task to deal with, without reaching despair. It will never make sense on the short term for humans… and the problem is we don’t have access to the long term bigger picture (if we did, we would be on par with God, trust wouldn’t exist). So as humans we have a problem… the long term bigger picture isn’t available. We can either put faith in a Good God who has promised to prosper us if we live his way or we can try and use our tiny useless little brains to try and figure it out. DESPAIR is not of God… it’s the devils doing, freedom is found in Trusting God. If Joseph had of stayed in an attitude of despair, it wouldn’t have been a success story, he wouldn’t have been able to hear Gods voice (due to trying to figure everything out on human standards). If Moses would of stayed in a state of despair, it wouldn’t have ended up a success story. TRUST GOD… he will make a way. ALWAYS!!!!
When we play God we forget that God is NOT up in heaven looking down wondering what he can do with you, confused as to what abilities or gifts you have…. HE KNEW before time began….. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”( Jeremiah 29:11) God knows!! “Even the very hairs on your head are all numbered” (Mathew 10:30). God knows you and your situation, he knows the authority over you, he knows your leader, he knows your family, he knows your enemy. He knows everything!!! God has this earth in the palm of his Hand…. He wants a relationship that is not built on doubt, but TRUST. Trust comes through your heart. God develops and purifies your heart through situations in life. We don`t have control over these situations. The more we develop the more we trust, the more we trust the bigger God becomes, the bigger God becomes the more abundant life we experience……
But remember it wont always be easy.... It probably won`t make sense, But God is ALWAYS in control. And he will always have the victory!!! I don`t want to waste this life chasing after my small plans.... which i have limited control over anyways.... God is sovereign wither you like it or not!
Love you
Phil
2 comments:
Ok so overlooking all the spelling errors (sorry I was an English major and had to get that out of the way, lol) ...cmon, had to put a joke in there somewhere...
I just want to say thank you! It is comforting to hear about the struggles and revelations of my friends because it helps those of us seeming to go through the same thing. We are sometimes so caught up in a whirlwind of emotion and are often not able to see through the tears of despair.
This blog, my friend, is the reason we are all created for relationships and to love one another. It is so easy to feel alone in your walk with God at difficult times.. especially if you aren't always surrounded with others that are walking the same path! Friends that can share their wisdom and love for Christ are placed just perfectly in our lives to help us conquer the voice of the enemy in our head, and bring us back to His lighted path. Your words are strength to those who have lost their way, and to followers that are momentarily overcome by sadness and confusion. Thank you, Philip, you are definitely on the right track with our Father and I know there are so many more blessings and revelations in store for you! I look forward to hearing more of your heart... keep writing!
i like what you say about the condition of the heart. how bad situations can show what the TRUE condition of our heart. i also believe good conditions reveal the condition of heart. do we thank God when we eat our meal...or do we wait to pray to Him when we need a meal or money to buy food? OR if things are going well-do we forget to spend time reading His word or giving thanks to Him or doing good to others?
I appreciate your words. Amazing to see a young person interested in developing himself into a spiritual man. Good for you. you have encouraged me.
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