Christian Living

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People wish for a good life. Optimists hope for the perfect life. Christians pray for a victorious life. And in the pursuits of these good, perfect, victorious lives, we often misread the “road signs” and go down a different direction altogether. For Christians especially, we become so enamored with the idea of Jesus’ statement about an “abundant life”, that we get frustrated with ourselves & others when we don’t fit the picture in our head of what we think that “abundant life” is.

In Daniel Chapter 3, there is a story of 3 Hebrew children who refused to bow down to worship a golden image. Because of their defiance, they were sentenced to be tossed into a fiery furnace. Their words to the king before their execution was a tremendous statement of victory.

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

The key phrase is: “even if he does not”. That was not the statement that lacked faith. It was an open declaration that God rules their lives. They did not rely on their circumstances to confirm the ability of God. They recognized that He has a purpose in everything He does, and even if it’s not in agreement with what they thought was the best for their end, they acknowledged the Lord will do what He wants according to His purpose and good pleasure.

Let me ask then, "Does God heal?" Yes! "Does God provide?" Absolutely! "Does God rescue his people?" Of course! "Does God listen to our prayers?" Definitely! But, true victory is not found being rich, or successful, or healthy, or having a family that's intact- NO! True victory is being peaceful despite those things. True victory is being content while covered in mud, while cold, while alone & hungry. It is knowing that in anything & everything, your worship of God can be just as loud, just as true, just as powerful as when your life is going well. Paul exemplifies this…

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

When we have reached a level where our faith in God and our ability to praise Him is independent from our circumstances, then we have found true victory.

Job understood when he said, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?". Most people are quick to throw criticism when they hear the word “acceptance”. They think that it is a sign of a defeated life. It is perceived that acceptance is what people have when they’ve lost the will to fight and have finally succumb to the enemy’s pressure. Not so! Acceptance is not a defeated life, it is a dependent life- dependant on HIM. It is a complete trust. It is a perfect peace. It is a solid assurance that my God knows what He is doing and He will do what’s best in the end even if my present state does not confirm it.

Anyone can praise the Lord when times are great, when there is money in the bank, and when everyone is healthy. What happens when life stops being good? What happens when life is no longer perfect? What happens? God happens. Thank the Lord that He is able to make His people victorious despite life.

To Praise HIM in any and all circumstances- That is a victorious life.

March M Villareal
[email protected]

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