Recently, I was thinking how easy it is for us to give advice to others. Isn't it? We always have 'obvious' solutions and scriptures for their challenges. But, following our own advice to others for our own life challenges ~ well, that can be a different story. Truth be told, His Word works for us too!
If I may be transparent for a moment ... over the last few weeks while personally under attack, I thought about the scriptures and encouragement I would offer others if they came to me with similar concerns. And so I spoke God's Word over myself, but began to realize that my heart was not open ~ I wasn't receiving His encouragement, His love and His way through the challenges. And, as a result I suffered unnecessarily for a period of time, until I finally began believing His Word as truth, and speaking it with authority and power over my circumstances. I was saddened that I gave room to the attacks of the enemy, but grateful that God can use it as a way of pruning me, making me stronger In Him ~ and yet more humble and sensitive to the plight of others.
Reality is that every day, in every circumstance of life, we have a choice - free will. Scripture says we are to "resist" the devil. This means even when we don't "feel" like it, even when we feel we can rationalize or justify our thinking. And sadly we can spend a lot of effort/energy rationalizing why we have every right to feel what we are feeling. But, as we 'think' this way, we allow doubt, unforgiveness or a hardness of heart to begin taking place and we miss out on God's blessings, on His still small voice guiding us to HIS way of peace, liberty and amazing plans.
So, I encourage you "... humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you." James 4:7. "Resist" means WE must take action ~ use God's Word as our sword. Remembering His Word IS truth and we are overcomers In Christ. "Come close" is an action of humility. When we want to run away, we must choose to come close ~ other wise HE waits for us, never leaving or forsaking, but HE waits until we humble ourselves and choose life In Him instead of suffering.
I encourage you ~ no matter what you face ~ to Resist and Come Close if you feel challenged now ~ no matter how small or big the matter(s). God's Word/His promises are true! And, I encourage you to encourage others if you see them challenged. God's Word never returns void, so encourage them with God's truths. It just takes a few moments to love and encourage someone else IN Christ and that moment may be the Godly moment when Jesus, through that caring person, takes our hand and helps us walk through the struggle. Just this week, I was blessed by two sisters-in-Christ and I am very grateful for their Godly love and wisdom. And if truth be told, one asked me a question I frequently ask others ~ is my God too small for the challenge I face? Truth be told ... My God is bigger/all knowing and able to help me overcome anything I could ever face ~ when I allow Him to be Lord of my life! Is your God big enough? Are you willing to humble yourself? He is there, waiting just for you with open arms!
God's love and blessings,
Michelle
Resources:
Matthew 11:28-30 (AMP) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne."
Psalm 55:20 (AMP) "Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail)."
1 Peter 5:5-11 (AMP) "Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [... with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another ..... Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world."
Isaiah 55:11 (AMP) "So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT) "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. "
AMP (Amplified); NLT (New Living Translation)
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