DROUGHT AND FIRE
Being in the prayer business I am expected to have a comment on these events. Let me share with you that my comments below are birthing out of a burden that I have for how men and women are handling these events.
MY BURDEN
But my burden isn’t moving me like I wish it did.
I wish my burden was one that moved me to stand before the fire and shout, “Stop! In Jesus Name.” Or to stand on the mountain and yell up into the sky, “Give rain now! In Jesus Name.”
But my friends, where my heart goes, is to this phrase by Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:5 “. . . troubles without, fears within. . . . ”
That Paul shares openly and honestly that he experienced this is comforting isn’t it? The great, forgive me, GREAT Paul, struggled with the same things you and I do.
THAT he struggled with them isn’t the issue, is it? No! The issue is what he did with the struggle.
PAUL’S STRUGGLE
Look at the list of “spiritual character-building struggles/issues” he faced in chapter 6 verses 4 thru 10. Looking closely at the list we see his outward troubles and his inward fears. And notice the variety in them, from endurance and beatings to being considered a deceiver.
OUR ENCOURAGEMENT
As you read his list of struggles and issues, remember what is coming in chapter 7 verse 6. The first 2 words are, “But God.”
I know it’s difficult to be in troubling situations when you find yourself, “scared to death.” I get that! “But God,” should give us a peace which completely transcends our understanding. Do you remember how? Look back at Philippians 4:6-7.
Be anxious for nothing. . . And you want to respond, “Sure, that’s easy for you to say, Mark, you don’t live in the mountains where this is going on!” Or maybe you want to lift your face to the heavens and shout, “Don’t You see what is going on! How can I NOT be anxious Lord!”
But then we remember that we come to Him, and somehow, He gives us a peace that completely transcends our understanding. But again I ask, HOW!!!
And the passage tells us, with prayers and petitions AND THANKSGIVINGS. . . Are you seeing that? If you dissect the verse I believe that it is telling us that we can actually thank the Lord for that which makes us anxious, IE, drought, fire, etc.
YOUR JOB
Yes, in the midst of your troubles and fears I am adding a directive for you to do.
Take a blank piece of paper and at the top of it write down that which is making you anxious, “Fire” or “Drought” etc. And then over the next few days, let the Lord lay upon your heart the things you can give thanks for BECAUSE OF the “Fire” and/or “Drought.” I promise you, it will give you a peace that will cause you to say, “Where did that peace come from?”
If you’ve read me very much you know I like to end my posts with, “Blessings my friends,” but may I change this post’s closing a bit?
Blessings to you my friend, as you thank Him FOR EVERYTHING (Ephesians 5:20),
PS. You know, in my Historical Christian Fiction Novel, The Pray-ers, the men and women model prayer for us, showing us how to go through difficulties. Find it at www.ThePray-ers.com
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