When All Else Fails ...
By: Joyce C. Lock
If you're of another temperament type and you hear that God owns everything (and He actually wants to use it to meet your every need), you might readily receive it. But, if you're a pathological doer or have any legalism in your background, such preaching may only lead to further torment.
The implication is often that, 'if you just believe enough', God is obligated to come through; which is another form of works.
Faith, the size of a grain of mustard seed, is actually the greatest faith there is ... because it takes the least amount of effort on our part and the most effort on God's part; placing the greatest portion of our faith in none other than Him. As painful as it can be, to get to that place, sometimes, we do have to come to the end of our path before we're willing to say, "God, if you don't save me, I'm doomed."
Now, see. That wasn't so hard. Was it? It was the getting there and the humbling that hurt so much.
The more we come to recognize Satan's nagging for what it is, the quicker our response might be a bit more like ... "God loves us. He won't abandon us, now. So, back off, Satan!"
Turn on music that ministers to your soul, pick up The Book, listen to a good sermon, or enter your prayer closet. Just go to your place of light and illumination of God's presence, wherever that be, and tell Satan you're not listening to him anymore. And, it's always ok to ask God to help with our unbelief and even to give you something to hang on to; a promise, anything wherein you can 'know' the direction He's taking you.
Getting our needs met has nothing to do with one's ability of praying enough, believing enough, doing enough, selling enough, working enough, serving enough, saving enough, or much of anything else.
"God always answers in time. So, bug off, Satan. Get out of our face. It makes no difference if you make us fear or not. God is still God and it is impossible for Him to fail."
It isn't even about getting angry enough at Satan. It's realizing that you have a Heavenly Father that loves you beyond anything Satan can threaten. To listen to Satan lying about God's love for you is only torment and it is not true. To agree with Satan is to call God a liar.
And, once we realize that, we might want to ask God's forgiveness and, thereafter, run to Him at onset; to ask God to remove all negativity, as we don't want to dishonor Him in even our thoughts. And, when such a request comes from the heart, God is honor bound and faithful to answer.
God is love. That is Who He is. He loved you while you were yet a sinner. He choose you before you even knew Him. He does not change. His love is still there, for your taking, and His love never fails.
Though, the best part of warfare is the V I C T O R Y !!! And when it comes, through your tears of joy, you might not only thank God for His unfailing love but also apologize for forgetting ... God's word is true, His love is real, and He always answers in time!
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luke 12:27
© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.
Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist. In addition, she founded and maintains the email ministries "Heavenly Inspirations" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and "Share a Smile" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/. Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.
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This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of PrayWay. It is provided for informational purposes only. As always, weigh everything with the Word of God, which is the only inerrant source of information.
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