“For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.” Rom 1:17 (Amplified)
You would probably have read of the increase in the rate of suicides due to the present economic difficulties. The new horrific phenomenon is the spectre of murder-suicides – those who elect to kill others and themselves, often their close relatives, due to what they perceived as hopeless personal circumstances. As far as they were concerned, the economic downturn had sealed their fate. With no God to turn to, such troubled souls in troubled times could see no light at the end of their dark tunnel and so resolved to end it all. They accepted their fate and died a defeatist death.
The bible is replete with individuals who rejected defeat and death and held on to the life that is only obtainable in God. To them, life’s giants were but opportunities to prove God’s power and profit therefrom. The contrary status quo was something to be confronted, transformed and profited from and not conformed to, because they had developed the mindset of champions. They had the same winning mindset that was in and which motivated Jesus Christ. Therefore, failure was no option. So, they doggedly refused to let life’s circumstances determine their fate by promptly deploying their faith in God’s ability to turn difficulties around and bring about the desired end. They were victors who refused being transformed into victims of life’s circumstances. They went from faith to faith as they ascended higher spiritual planes and communed with God and ended up determining their own fate in line with God’s word. They not only complained about injustice wherever they saw it, but then went further to right those wrongs – spiritual or physical, that were being perpetrated. They lived by faith and according to Scripture, they ultimately lived to fulfil their destinies. This is in stark contrast to those who died ignominiously simply because they chose to live in fear of what might be.
Life’s challenges are but periodical tests and the refining of our faith. Hence, every little success enables us to move one step closer to our desired end. We will move from faith that move pebbles to that which move rocks and if we persist in our faith development, we will reach the ultimate end and our faith will move mountain ranges. Consequently, the choice and responsibility to exercise our faith remains solely ours. God operates only by faith and no way else. So, if we want to experience His best for us, we have no choice but to operate the way He does, for that is the only way we can please Him and elicit His beneficial response. So, see that present difficulty as a great opportunity to further develop your faith and actively choose to fully trust God with your life in confident anticipation of the good He will do to you. Determine that you will not fall victim to life’s circumstances, but will boldly go on to fulfil your destiny through Christ. Faith is your victory. Faith determines your destiny. Use your faith to determine your fate and thus fulfil God’s will for your life. You shall be victorious.
Prayer:
Father, your word says that without faith it is impossible to please you. Well, my life is nothing if it displeases you. Therefore, I resolve today to put my trust in you and not be swayed by circumstances. In your power I determine and decree the fulfilment of your will as my destiny in Jesus name. Amen.