The process of renewing your mind is an essential part of the life of a Christian. As heirs of the promises of God living in the world there is a tension between the spiritual realm where we have been made more than conquerors, all things work for our good, etc and the physical realm where circumstances and situations often seem to say otherwise.
When we are faced with such a disconnect, we have a decision to make: choose to allow our experience to speak the final word or fight to believe a better word. The fight of faith implies that there is a battle to believe the truth.
This fight takes place in the battlefield of the mind. We do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10)
Laying hold of the truth and possessing God's promise is not denying our current situation or devaluing our feelings. When we are depressed, it is not spiritual or helpful to say "I am happy!" When we are hard pressed on every side, declaring "I am victorious!" will not change our circumstances.
We walk by faith not by sight. This does not mean that we open our spiritual eyes and close our physical eyes. But when we are staring straight at a physical situation are we going to walk as though that is the only reality or will we gaze to see in the spirit? Are we going to let natural factors dictate the direction of our path or will we consider spiritual truths?
The narrow path is found through difficult circumstances. Possessing the promise requires that we go through the wilderness. A good teacher not only teaches his students but also tests them. When we encounter a trial, the way that we respond reveals what we believe. The process of maturation allows us to declare the truth no matter how contrary our circumstances. God's truth gives us stability and resilience in the midst of changing circumstances if we can recognize when our situation or our feelings are lies and run to the truth and respond in light of the truth.
CASE STUDY from 2 Kings 6: 14-17:
Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. (Bad situation)
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. (Assessment of the situation, freak out)
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (Faith overcomes the present trial AND makes the nature and character of God known so that others get a glimpse of His kingdom)
When we are faced with such a disconnect, we have a decision to make: choose to allow our experience to speak the final word or fight to believe a better word. The fight of faith implies that there is a battle to believe the truth.
This fight takes place in the battlefield of the mind. We do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10)
Laying hold of the truth and possessing God's promise is not denying our current situation or devaluing our feelings. When we are depressed, it is not spiritual or helpful to say "I am happy!" When we are hard pressed on every side, declaring "I am victorious!" will not change our circumstances.
We walk by faith not by sight. This does not mean that we open our spiritual eyes and close our physical eyes. But when we are staring straight at a physical situation are we going to walk as though that is the only reality or will we gaze to see in the spirit? Are we going to let natural factors dictate the direction of our path or will we consider spiritual truths?
The narrow path is found through difficult circumstances. Possessing the promise requires that we go through the wilderness. A good teacher not only teaches his students but also tests them. When we encounter a trial, the way that we respond reveals what we believe. The process of maturation allows us to declare the truth no matter how contrary our circumstances. God's truth gives us stability and resilience in the midst of changing circumstances if we can recognize when our situation or our feelings are lies and run to the truth and respond in light of the truth.
CASE STUDY from 2 Kings 6: 14-17:
Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. (Bad situation)
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. (Assessment of the situation, freak out)
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (The Christian is not shaken by what he sees but perceives a greater reality that no one else understands)
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (Faith overcomes the present trial AND makes the nature and character of God known so that others get a glimpse of His kingdom)
nice :).
ReplyDeleteJust a comment - your blue is hard to read :(