Tell Me, Just How do I do That?!
I was in a conversation the other day with someone very important to me and one that I love so very much. Our discussion revolved around depression, anger, and forgiving. I made the comment "You just need to let go and let God. You need to give all the past angers and emotional pains to Him. You need to let go." She promptly followed that with "And just how do I do that? I pray everyday asking for His help. I read the bible everyday trying to find out how to change who I am. So you tell me, you tell me, just how do I do that?"
I was dumb struck. God's word is full of love and instructions of over coming personal issues. I couldn't respond because I couldn't reason how she could be missing what was right in front of her. I couldn't answer other than to say to keep praying and keep listening; God will provide the answer.
Needless to say I have had two days of unending prayer for her and asking God for His wisdom in helping her. Then this morning two things occurred that turned the light on.
First I was listening to a radio message and it was about spiritual warfare. The topic was how so many people don't fully understand just how tricky Satan can be on their hearts and minds. Now I've known this for all my life that the evil one attacks every chance he gets in our lives. But I missed the fact that Satan was involved in this situation.
She prays and reads all the time but couldn't hear or see because Satan would not allow her to hear or see because he knows how strong she'll become with full understanding.
Then came my morning devotion and I read Romans 12:9-21! The path was never easier to see or hear. Yes hear because when we read God's word we need to hear what He's saying to us through His word.
How do I do that? My friend God provides the simple steps:
1. First is the willingness to ask Him to forgive you of your sins.
But from Romans 12:9-21
1. Let love be sincere. Let it be real! Not like a fake smile; let it overwhelm you from within and it will over flow to the world around you.
2. Cleave to that which is good. Keep praying, keep reading, but also learn to hear. Learn that Satan will do his best to stop you. Reach for the good things dropping the evil things. If it means changing life styles then change; if it means ending friendships then end them (till you are strong in God then renew the friendship, because He could then use you to draw them to Him).
3. Be kind with each other, but make it even deeper in that you care more for others than you do for yourself. Boy this goes completely against the thought of the world today, "Look out for number one first". But you tell me, how's that worked out for you; how's that worked out for the world; and aren't you glad Jesus didn't say ... no way not me...I'm taking care of me first.
4. Rejoice in hope and be patient in the hard times. That's right they go hand in hand. Hard times will come! It's the nature of life when Satan is involved that we will all have hard times, but be patient; have hope because God is there for you! Knowing that God is there for you should cause you to rejoice in that hope thus rejoicing in the hard times. You see think how wonderful it will be when you see or feel God manifest Himself to help you with the hard times! Be patient and rejoice!
5. Prayer! The magic word of communication with your best friend, God. It's great that you pray everyday, but we see here that it's a bit more; it's "instant". Don't even hesitate when troubled; pray! Seek God's wisdom immediately. Seek God's protection immediately. Be determined to serve Him in your daily life and pray when Satan attacks! Fight back with prayer asking God to take Satan on for you because you can't do it yourself. But not just in the hard times, but be instant in prayer for the good times as well. When some thing good happens then be instant in giving Him the glory.
The rest of the chapter still holds more advice but I'll cover that tomorrow. Friends, He's there and I pray that we all "know how to do that".
Created about 1 year ago
