In Spite Of
From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend", Cindi Wood.
Today’s Truth
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Friend to Friend
I was talking with a friend recently who was experiencing some difficult months of marriage. She commented, “In spite of our problems, we are getting along fine right now.” Listening to her, I was halted by that phrase . . . in spite of.
Months ago after an accident that totaled my car, the Lord gave me great teaching material. I kept thinking, “In spite of this horrible wreck, something good’s happening.”
Then in that lightning flash kind of way that belongs only to God, I heard (in my heart), “I’M NOT AN ‘IN SPITE OF’ GOD”.
Within moments, my mind was flooded with past sins, intense struggles, and haunting replays of difficult trials in my marriage, with my children, and just general guilt from – so often missing the mark of holiness in my Christian walk. In addition, in time-lapse format, with each episode I heard I’M NOT AN IN SPITE OF GOD.
Continuing to seek God’s thinking in this, I realized that because of each struggle He revealed His Glory. When I think “because of” instead of “in spite of” I can truly thank God for the trial itself…and that’s just what the Scriptures teach us to do.
Now I realize this concept may be a little hard to get your mind around, but I’m praying that you will give it thought and talk to the Lord about it. For me, this newest God revelation has enabled me to experience the freedom that is truly mine in Jesus. It gives purpose to all of life, not just the good and right events, but the ones where we miserably fail. Every area of your life belongs to our Heavenly Father. When you turn to Him in love, humility, repentance, and obedience, He brings something beautiful out of your mess . . . just because!
Let’s Pray
O Lord, thank you for taking every single event in my life and turning it into something grand for Your glory. Help me focus on the preciousness of today…on the beauty of now. Help me to see Your glory as each day unfolds, and keep me from wasting moments filled with regrets and worry, when I could be praising You!
Now It’s Your Turn
1) In what past event of your life do you struggle to see God’s glory?
2) Right now, thank Him that because of that event, He is doing something glorious and new in your life.
3) Let go of negative feelings of your past, offering them to God for Him to keep.
4) Accept your complete freedom and the reality of God’s glory in that situation.
More from the Girlfriends
Dear Friend, as long as we have memories there will be some things that are just hard to let go of. I pray that you will join me in experiencing the complete freedom of Jesus Christ, as we give everything to Him. And we can trust Him with confidence that when we do, He’ll bring about His glory in a grand way!
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Girlfriends in God
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com
Originally published Friday, 29 February 2008.
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