There are certain situations that have been brought to my attention recently, in which I would like to help people come to peace with concering their telling others about personal needs or situations.
It is not easy admitting that we have weaknesses to others.
It is not easy admitting that we have weaknesses to others.
Imaginary conversations start swirling around in our mind thinking if we confess we need something or someone it means we do not have a grasp on things. People may think we are needy or weak and gossip about what we shared out of desperation.
Reaching out can literally backfire, causing us to shrink back in seeking help when we most need it. Even though sharing the need for help may be hard, the Bible does bid us to seek counsel from godly, wise individuals. Sadly those people may not be (and most likey are not) family, friends or co-workers.
However, as believers in Christ Jesus, we do not have to go through any trial alone. On the other hand, we need to be extremely cautious in whom we share our circumstances with if we do not have complete peace in our spirit in doing so.
Besides having those of faith in your prayer corner, God Himself is already aware of the situation. Taking our cares and concerns to the Lord is different; He is waiting for the Righteous to bring every burden to Him and leave it at His feet.
"Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the Righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22 NIV)
You can trust that everything you share from your heart is safe with the Lord. He will show you a way to the other side of the situation when there seems to be no answer.
"Cast your cares (anxiety, fears, concerns) on Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Understand that just because things are not peachy in your life does not mean God’s favor is not available or working. On the contrary, it may be those very hardships that God is using to extend His blessings and favor (His grace) in ways not ordinarily noticed.
Scriptures tell us about a situation in the Apostle Paul's life when he going through a difficult time. Did God pull him out of it? No, but he did get an answer, although it may not have been what he expected at the time. This is what Jesus said to him.
This passage lets us know that God is all for relationship with His children. It is in those weaknesses that God comes to rescue and shows His loving-kindness toward us. His power is more effective, complete and fufilled when we need Him most.
Paul learned a great deal about his own faith and the entire situation brought him closer to the Lord. God's favor was all he needed. It was more than enough for whatever he encountered.
Through this experience Paul shared how God delivered him through grace (unmerited favor). The Lord's power was greater than man's in every circumstance.
God Will Give You Strength
Although it may be difficult, God wants us to come to the knowledge that we do need Him. He does not think of us as "needy weaklings", but wants us to recognize that going to the Him for help acknowledges that we know He is the only One that can give us the solution we need for any situation.
God is not shocked about anything we have done or over the thoughts that we think. Nothing surprises Him or catches Him off guard. He already knows and has the solution to any issue or problem that could ever happen!
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthrew 11:28-30 NIV)
Notice ... He will not scold or think bad thoughts of those who seek Him. As a matter of fact, Jesus welcomes the weary and burdened, and wants to shower His children with loving-kindness, favor and mercy. (Read James 1)
Go Back to Move Ahead
The Bible teaches of a time when King David was at his lowest. Nothing was going right; his enemies were surrounding him and even his family was in trouble. David kept asking God, "When are you going to deliver me ... where are You? Why have you abandoned me when I need you the most?" (from Psalm 13 and 1 Samuel 22)
Does any of this sound familiar? I know I have asked those very questions of God, and more than once!
It did not take long for David to change the tune of his "night song", for even his enemies knew that the favor of God and His presence caused him to succeed in all he did. (1 Samuel 18:14)
The King trusted in the Lord despite how things looked. In order to keep going during a difficult time, he reflected on how the Lord brought him though every challenge leading him to victory. He realized that God's hand of favor (mercy) was on him even when he did not recognize it. At that moment he became strong in the Lord, and the power of God's might helped David overcome and move ahead.
"... but I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have (in the past and will now) rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because He is good to me." (Psalm 13:5-6 NLT emphasis mine)
There are plenty situations in my life when I know God's hand of favor surrounded me like a shield, and in the midst of trouble, I found strength to carry on when I did not know what to do. Many of those stories I have shared with you over the years here on Daily Favor, but only after I have gone to the Lord in prayer.
Let me encourage you to think back on the time(s) when you were at the lowest point(s) in your life. If you cannot remember a time, ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of the turning from weakness to "when you became strong". Exactly what happened?
How did God work His power (favor and grace) through the situation? When you were weak, how did God reveal His strength to you?
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My (God’s) ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:9 NKJV)
What did you find out about yourself during that time of weakness? How did you become stronger allowing God's favor to work turning your sadness into gladness? Share some of those times with someone; your godly testimony could be the answer they have waited for all along in helping them to become strong.
As you choose to believe in the Bible as God’s truth, may He favor you with His strength and that your confession will always be …
Let the weak say: “I am strong.”
Let the poor say: “I am rich.”
Let the blind say: “I can see.”
It’s what the Lord has done in me.
Until next time, favored blessings!
“Believe I will take you from weak to strong.”
Jesus Christ
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Note: When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives.
Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
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Unless noted, scripture reference in series was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway. Image Creative Common License if not specified.
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