In my last two articles, I focussed on being a victor, not a victim, https://test.jesustomyrescue.com/2018/08/16/4842/, and three important aspects to remember when we face challenges, https://test.jesustomyrescue.com/2018/08/30/focus/. It focussed on standing on victory ground, the finished work of Jesus Christ. To remember that we have an identity in Jesus Christ and with that, authority to stand against the devil and his schemes. We also have a role to play in the game called life and that means we have a purpose. We need to understand and take up our identity in Christ as well as our role and purpose, to ensure that we are not overwhelmed by the challenges we face daily. This article ties in with the previous two and will address the topic of what we see and feel, versus what we know.
In Matthew 14:25 – 31, we read the story of Peter, walking on the water: “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?””
How many times do we not go through challenges and the focus is on what we see and feel and not on what we know. The Word of God tells us that we are going to have challenges. A couple of weeks ago, I broke a bone in my foot, had an operation and now for four weeks need to keep my foot in the air. Much pain, swelling and dependant on others for six weeks was not part of my plan. Being a busy bee, I had to get my head together. What I was constantly seeing were swollen toes, turning blue every time I get up. What I felt, were discomfort, pain and difficulty moving around on crutches.
In this time, God spoke to me many times and I constantly had to reflect on where my real focus was. Was it on what I saw and felt or on what I knew? Yes, what I saw and felt, were medical facts and very much uncomfortable. Sometimes, we pray and then just get up and move on, with no sign of ever being sick. However, other times, there is a process to go through, like in my case now. However, in that process we need to keep the focus on what we know, the Truth in God’s Word, which says that by the stripes and blood of Jesus Christ, we have already been healed (1 Peter 2:24). Hence, I continued to speak that Truth over my foot and I know that my body must and will come in line with That Truth. Amen!
So, what are your challenges currently, making you feel as things are never going to change? I want to tell you today, God can change your circumstances around in a second, but sometimes, there is a process we need to go through. So, when a process, we need to ask ourselves, do we stand on what we see and feel, or on what we know from God’s Word? If we focus on what is seen and felt, then we will be overwhelmed for sure. Remember, satan does not attack the seen for the seen is the seen. He attacks faith on the unseen, there where you trust for breakthroughs and miracles. Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. So, that tells us that our focus should be on what we know from God’s Word and not on what we see and feel. Amen!
With that said, what do we know? Do we know the Truth? Do we know God’s Word? If we don’t, then our lives will be all about challenges that continually overwhelm us, leaving us in doubt, despair and like life is just too much to live. We need Jesus and we need God’s Word, which He tells us in Ephesians 6, is our sword to pull, as part of the Armour of God. So, if we do not know the Word of God, how will we then use it, when being attacked and having to go through challenges? God says to us throughout His Word, that His Word is wisdom and it should not depart from our hearts and lips (Proverbs 4 – 5, James 1:22 – 25). He also says that it is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12 – 13) and He promises that His Word is true and will not return to Him empty (Isaiah 55:11). Amen!
Let us not be like Peter, knowing the Truth, but taking our focus off what we know and placing it on what we see and feel. Stand firm in your faith, on what you know, or you will not stand at all (Isaiah 7:9).
Love in Christ
Princess K