Sometimes I think I might explode before I can get to my laptop to type what I’m thinking, then I wonder how in the world I will keep it from turning into a full-blown message!
Here’s what’s got me fired up this morning –
Against all hope, Abraham in hope BELIEVED and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his FAITH, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he DID NOT WAVER through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being FULLY PERSUADED that God had power to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:18-21)
Buckle up - we are in for a fast ride.
Abraham did not deny the facts.
Yes, it was true that his body as good as dead (don’t miss the humor in that!). Yes, it was true that Sarah’s womb was also dead. He wasn’t living in fantasy land. Abraham knew what was real, and he wasn’t denying the cold-hard facts of reality.
BUT GOD.
You see, God PROMISED Abraham descendants.
Abraham had a big fat choice to make. He could either believe God or not. Abraham chose to believe God. He didn’t waver through unbelief. He was fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised. Y’all. That kind of belief has enormous implications.
You and I need to know beyond a shadow of a doubt what God has promised. And we need to CHOOSE TO BELIEVE HE HAS THE POWER TO DO IT.
So, what does this look like for you and me? Let me use “Susan” as an example that many of us might relate to.
Susan has symptoms of depression and anxiety and meets the criteria for a diagnosis. These are the cold-hard facts. Susan doesn’t deny the facts – it’s reality. Just like the reality that Abraham’s body was old and as good as dead.
And yet – God promised Abraham descendants.
What has God promised Susan? He promised her joy. And peace. And a sound mind. And freedom.
So, what’s Susan going to do?
She has two choices.
She can keep saying, “I have depression and anxiety.”
OR
She can begin saying, “My God promised me joy and peace and a sound mind and freedom!”
It comes down to this - will Susan choose to believe that God’s promise trumps her reality? Will she be fully persuaded that God can turn her every “can’t” into a “can”? Will she continue to believe that she is who her diagnosis tells her she is, OR, will she believe God’s promises?
Think of it like this –
Susan was given the key that will unlock the prison door of the diagnosis holding her captive. It doesn’t do her any good to simply have the key in her possession – she must learn how to use it. Merely saying she believes the key will unlock the door won’t work. She must actually use the key.
Sounds good, but how does this actually work? What are some practical steps that Susan can take?
Susan can start by identifying “I can’t” statements that the diagnosis (or addiction) has convinced her of. Statements like –
I can’t get out of bed this morning.
I can’t talk to that person.
I can’t live without this.
I can’t handle this situation.
I can’t think straight.
Susan can then begin replacing the “I can’t” statements with “God will be faithful to help me _______” statements. Statements like –
God will be faithful to help me get out of bed.
God will be faithful to help me handle any situation.
God will be faithful to help me think clearly again.
One. Step. At. A. Time.
If I had the privilege of talking with Susan this morning, I would want to remind her -
YOUR GOD IS FAITHFUL.
YOUR GOD IS POWERFUL.
YOUR GOD WILL KEEP HIS PROMISES.
YOU ARE NOT YOUR DIAGNOSIS.
YOU ARE NOT YOUR ADDICTION.
It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set you free. (Galatians 5:1)
No more, “I can’t,” only “God can” from now on.
You weren’t meant to COPE. You are meant to be victorious.
#morethanaconqueror
#youcanfightandwin
#youarewhoGodsaysyouare
#youarenotyourdiagnosis
#Godstruthtrumpsyourreality