It
occurred to me that I've spent a great deal of my life from the perspective
that life is a series of good days interrupted by bad ones. I thought that
unfortunate events should be unexpected, unplanned for, and they are surely
unwarranted. I was wrong. It was a fantasy to believe that I could get through
life without these experiences. Living in this level of denial can leave one
feeling hopeless & defeated while scavenging for one satisfying moment
after the next.
As I
entered into a paradigm of truly receiving all that God has for me, I am
realizing the very opposite is true. Our lives are more a series of testing,
tribulation, trial & temptation. Between the works of my very own flesh and
the snares of the enemy, there is a daily, consistent battle that presents
itself. I have a choice to fight for the freedom I have been afforded or
surrender to remain an indentured servant...a slave to death.
I have
discovered that seeing life from this perspective has increased my level of
appreciation for not just the major victories, but also for the minor ones and
that ANY victory in itself is magnificent and deserves celebration. Rather than
focusing on daily battles, becoming bitter and broken, I am choosing to focus
my attention on the blessings, the bounties & the benefits that come with
serving the Lord.
Those
good experiences, those precious moments of happiness are sprinkled so
carefully amidst these battles. When I'm victorious, the celebration is rich!
The feeling of success is intoxicating and it is easy to convince myself that
it will be perpetual...but the fight continues and each day, I must decide.
By
accepting this perspective, I am able to stand firmly in a position of victory
rather than defeat. I am able to embody a “but not” perspective. Like Paul
wrote to the church in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 4:
8 We are
troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not
in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but
not destroyed;
There
are times I may be discouraged, but not depressed; down, but not defeated;
rejected, but not abandoned. I choose to fight each day to maintain my freedom,
living in the victorious joy only Christ can provide. My prayer is that you
choose to do the same.
Peace
& blessings
