Moving Beyond Where I Am StuckSample

DAY THREE: Let faith rule fear.

Sometimes one path to freedom is longer than another. You may have experienced chains instantly fell off in one area of your life while others are still believing for their miracle in another area. Others may have found freedom while you are still exercising your faith muscle for your breakthrough. It can be frustrating to know God can perform a quick work when yours is more of a work-in-progress. It helps to zoom out a bit and recognize that sometimes it’s not just about accessing our own freedom but bringing the people around us into freedom as well. How we respond to our weaknesses can either point back to ourselves and our inabilities or it can point to the power of God.

Acts 1:8 speaks to the power that comes upon us when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and it is by that power that we are able to do what God has called us to, even if we don’t know what His timeline looks like. Paul writes to the Philippians in chapter 4 about this same power giving him the ability and strength to do all things, regardless of what the details of the situation look like. The truth is we have all the strength we need to endure any situation. Fear does not have to rule us; we can choose to let faith rule our fear by His power and strength in us.

The beautiful thing about choosing to rely on God is that other people get to see God’s handiwork up close. They get to witness the peace that washes over us. We may think we look crazy with our hands raised in praise and surrender to the One who is our refuge, but what we’re actually displaying is His faithfulness to meet us where we are in the midst of our struggle. The goodness of God doesn’t mean He simply protects us from all struggle and that isn’t the message we want to communicate either. The goodness of God means He protects us in the midst of struggle and that is where His true character is able to be put on display. What an incredible opportunity to not only tap into our source of freedom while also showing others the way.

Who are the people around you who you get to be a witness to? What do you think your responses to tough situations tell them about who Jesus is and the peace He brings?