When unwanted things come into your life, do you just ACCEPT them as part of life, or do you EXPECT them to change or leave, by God's power and grace? True, some things are not going to change, and some adversity is God's will because it is the way that God helps us grow, but I am talking about becoming complacent by allowing an attitude of acceptance to pervade our thinking to the point to where no action is taken or there is no seeking God's power and grace to overcome whatever the problem or circumstance is.
The book of Philippians was written when the Apostle Paul was in prison, yet he writes in Phil. 1:19-20 "For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."
Paul had an attitude of expecting. He expected either for God to deliver him from his adversity, or one way or the other, for God to be glorified. Should we do none the less? How many times have you and I said "this is just the way life is" or "nothing is going to change?" Instead, we can and should have the attitude expressed in Micah 7:7-8. "But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; though I dwell in darkness the Lord is a light for me." WOW! What a verse!
Let us all be reminded that as Christians, we have authority over sin, sickness, and even Satan. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth we can command Satan to flee. We can cast out demons and break generational curses. There can be victory over sinful desires and sickness. Hebrews 2:18 reminds us, "For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." This is further expounded upon in Hebrews 4:16. "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." Christ wants us to have victory if only we will call upon Him.
God will not always come through right away because we may still have some spiritual or emotional growing to do. He may have His own agenda and timing which we should always accept. However, one thing we should never accept is giving up expecting something to change for the better, or for God to be glorified.
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