So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (MSG)
“So we’re not giving up. How could we!” Wow! What powerful words and a powerful reminder of just what we need to do. We can’t give up! No matter what! I don’t know what you are going through. I don’t know the circumstances of your life, but what I do know is that you were not created or destined by God to give up or fail. You were created and destined by God to be a victor, an overcomer and a success!
Life can be rough, actually downright ugly, sometimes. But, we must remember where we stand, what our position is, in the midst of ugliness. We must always remember to shift our focus from bad to good, from problem to solution, from defeat to victory during the ugly times. You see – we live in a world where the devil is seeking to kill, steal and destroy our lives. We have to stay on the defense, ready to stand firm and attack against the evil works of the devil. When he comes at our lives, he likes to shift our focus (the primary thing we see) to the attack and all of its negative repercussions. Why? Because, he wants us to forget where we stand in Christ because he knows if he succeeds at doing so, he can win the battle as our minds succumb and let him advance.
The good news is that if we stay focused on the promises that God has given us in His Word, we can overcome anything and all that comes against us. Remember, you have been called by God an overcomer and a victor! You must purpose to focus on the goodness of God’s promises and His all-powerful grace. Even if chaos surrounds you, even when things look like they are falling apart –remember, God is continually making new life for you! There is never a day, not even a moment, when are without His all-powerful grace! Wow! Isn’t that amazing? So, no matter the damage I sustain, no matter the attack on my life, God is always in the process of creating new life because I always abide in His grace!
I love what II Corinthians 4:16-18 tells us. The hard times are small potatoes! I challenge you right now to look at your problems and choose to see them as nothing more than small potatoes! Oh but Shannon, you don’t know how big my problems are! It doesn’t matter! Your God is bigger! Your God says your problems are small potatoes compared to the lavish celebration that is coming your way! So, don’t focus on your problems! Don’t focus on the attack! Stand strong, and never give up! Allow your heart to be filled with expectancy, an expectancy of the lavish level of goodness and joy and victory that is coming your way! God has prepared all of these things for you! Focus on this promise. Rest in His grace, and take your eyes off the small potatoes!
I pray you are encouraged. You should be! Get ready for God’s lavish celebration!
Xoxo,
Shannon
