Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. I John 4:4
What are some ways we may limit Jesus in our lives?
The other day I spent some time with an associate struggling with a whole set of issues. He is a 21st century Biblical Job. Just like Job lost everything important to him, so has he.
His health is battered. He is battling addiction from pharmaceutical drugs. He is financially broke and unemployed. He struggles against strong demonic influences. His family is ready to commit him into a mental ward.
He questions his belief in God. He holds HIM responsible for his poor condition. Yet his prayers are deeply sincere asking God for help and direction.
He has been a faithful Christian his entire life. But now wonders why God has abandon HIM. He has lost all hope and meaning for his life. Every hiccup, muscle sprain, and one less hour of sleep each night brings him into the mindset his days are short.
He is crying out for help but at the same time wallowing in a victim mindset. As I listen to him, my heart hurts. I pray along with him asking for wisdom in the situation. My focus is trying to see what the Holy Spirit is doing. How can I best participate with our Lord in this situation. For now, I only sit and listen. I ask questions trying to help him see things more clearly. God is the cure-giver, not I. For we both will learn patience waiting on HIM.
It is times like this we discover how strong our faith in Jesus actually is. Is HE bigger than any problem we are dealing with? Do I really have a strong relationship with HIM or is HE just someone I know? Have I been true and supportive of HIM my entire life? Or have I just played church with HIM? Does HE really have last say on this matter? Can HE be trusted?
Is HE really the solution for my problems or the cause? Isn’t HE supposed to protect me from harm? From my stupid choices? Does HE practice safe-zone behavior or will HE allow the situation to enter the high-risk area?
Why am I truly following him anyway? These are only a few of the questions that may arise when we struggle with life’s darkest moments.
When Jesus is your central-core of living, bad things are still going to happen. The difference being HE is always with you. HE will lead you through the mess. In the process, you will learn to better govern yourself and others. His purpose is not to make you happy and successful in this life. HE wants to prepare you for eternity to rule with HIM serving others. Everything we go through in this life trains us to know HIM better. To enjoy life with HIM in greater degrees, and prepare us for greater service of others.
We can choose to limit Jesus or allow HIM access to lead us with HIM as HE navigates us through the jungles of life. We can let HIM live in us and through us or just reside. As we allow HIM to live HIS life through us, HE accomplishes HIS macro-plans. We also achieve our micro-ones. Everything else are the small details that we deal with along the way.
Walking with HIM doesn’t eliminate the problems. But helps us focus on the solutions. We limit Jesus when we don’t allow HIM to live in us and through us. One step at a time. One day at a time. One person at a time. For HE is always with us. You especially notice when family, friends, and community surround you with HIS love and care in your darkest moments. Yes, HE is always with you.
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)
Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats: * indicates audio version now available
at Apple Books
- Power Up With Jesus Book Series- Aspirations for a Grace-Paced Life *
- The Adventurous Journey of Transformation in Christ *
- Overflowing Prayers Rooted in Jesus Christ v1 & v2
- Dancing With God: A Life-Giving Worldview *
- Great Business Emulates a Good God
- Stay Free…Avoid Worldly Traps
- Simply The Messenger
- Unequally Married
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