The other night, I watched Life Today television broadcast with Jim and Betty Robison. Beth Moore was the guest speaker, and at the end of her talk, she said she did not want to live a boring, predictable life, but wanted to see the supernatural provision of God. She suggested that we stop playing it safe and start living on the edge because that’s when miracles happen. When we put ourselves in a position to have to depend on God, that’s when He shows up. That profoundly impacted me.
The Problem
I have been struggling with fear and worry over provision. Don’t get me wrong. I have exactly what I need, and I want for nothing. But I keep looking at the future, and it’s not clear to me how my situation is going to work out, how God is going to make provision for me. I see point A and point B, but I can’t see what’s between the two. However, after Beth said what she said, in an instant, I saw the difference between faith and worry.
What is Faith?
You see, before last night, when I had a need, or I lacked in some area, I saw that as a reason to fear because I wasn’t sure whether God would come through for me. I am just being honest. I know He’s been faithful. I know that I have never lacked for anything. I know that God is powerful. However, the devil had set up a massive stronghold in my mind that had kept me from fully trusting God for years. After I heard Beth speak, a divine paradigm “shift” took place, and I then saw my need as an opportunity, not to fear, but to see God show out. That’s when faith rose up in me.
What is Worry?
At that same moment, I got the revelation that worry is the result of seeing my crisis situation, or need, as an opportunity for God to disappoint or fail me, rather than seeing it as an opportunity for God to show me what He can really do. When you think about it, without “nail-biting” experiences in life, how would you know that God exists? If you are never in dire straits, you would never have the opportunity to see God supernaturally perform a miracle for you. Therefore, if you want to see the power of God, you must be willing to be put in situations that are proverbial “cliff hangers” and watch God perform His Word. You must dispel worry by expecting Him to kick through with His power.
A New Perspective
Thus, the difference between faith and worry is simply a matter of asking the proverbial question, “Is the glass half-full or half-empty?” I can look at it as an opportunity for God to possibly disappoint me, but His Word says those who hope in Him will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49:23). On the other hand, I can believe and look at it as an opportunity for Him to manifest Himself to me and the world, which will allow me to enter into His rest according to Hebrews 4:3. So from this point on, I intend to view my difficult situations in life from a different perspective, and refuse to let the devil steal my peace. How about you?
Therefore, it’s time for you to start saying, “OK, God, show me what you can do.” Be obedient and do whatever He tells you to do, of course, but after that, relax. Watch and see if He won’t come through for you. Remember, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (II Chronicles 16:9).
What are you expecting God to do for you? Put your faith out there and leave a comment below.
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