Prayers2Persevere

In an instant, we can be faced with an impossible circumstance. That unexpected phone call informing you that there’s been an accident, a routine checkup that reveals a tumor, or a severance letter stating today is your last day of work. Life is full of impossible circumstances. What I’ve come to learn is that the picture-perfect, problem-free life does not exist. In fact, John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble.” But, on the other side of that bitter pill is hope. The rest of the scripture says, “But take heart! I(Jesus) have overcome the world.” When we face tough situations, when life gets turned upside down and inside out, not only is God in control but He’s already won the victory over the situation. And if Jesus has the victory, then the victory also belongs to us! This promise shifts our outlook on impossible circumstances from defeat to glory, and produces a praise of thanksgiving. What seems impossible for us is possible for God. 

So if we have the victory, why is life so hard? Our suffering produces perseverance, hope in Him, and unshakable faith. This new perspective happens when we look beyond present circumstances and focus on who God is. Suffering brings understanding into God’s character. You don’t truly know God as The Healer if you’ve never needed healing. You don’t truly know God as The Provider if you’ve never had a need you couldn’t meet. You don’t truly know God as The Comforter if you’ve never needed comforting. And while God may not answer our prayers in the exact way we desire or on our timeline, we can rest in knowing that God’s plans are perfect. He makes no mistakes and He does not fail. The impossible circumstances and outcomes in our lives are designed so God will get the most glory. This is why Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is such a powerful example for believers. 

In Luke 22:39-44, Jesus is in anguish. He prays a simple but powerful prayer. On the Mount of Olives, with drops of blood falling from His body like sweat, Jesus prays, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” This is the ultimate example of surrender to God’s will. Jesus knew what He would have to endure, an excruciating death and separation from God in order to die for the sins of the world. Yet, Jesus seals His prayer with surrender. “Not my will, but yours be done.” When we adopt the posture of obedience and surrender like Jesus, we experience a deeper connection to the Father and renewed perspective in the midst of impossible circumstances. Relinquishing our plans and desires in exchange for God’s sovereign will may seem impossible. But aren’t you glad we serve a God who specializes in the impossible? Through the presence and power of Holy Spirit within us, He transforms us and gives us the ability to surrender our plans and accept God’s. If we follow Jesus’ lead, declaring the truth in His Word and promises, we can look at our mountain and tell it to move and have the faith to know that it’s already done — even as it stares us in the face. 

The question is whether we’ve truly and fully surrendered to God’s will. Do we trust Him? Do we believe what His Word says? Can we believe Him for the impossible? Here are a few steps to consider as we seek to move towards a place of surrender. Confess that you’re struggling to believe but that you want God to help your unbelief. Declare that you desire God’s will over yours. Keep declaring it until your heart comes into agreement and allow Holy Spirit to help you with the inner transformation. Focus on God. Pray, fast, read, serve, give, rest, encourage. Remove your focus on the situation, turn to Him, and reject the lies of the enemy. Remember God’s promises. Stand in victory. He is with you, He is for you, and will never leave you nor forsake you. 

God places impossible circumstances in our lives to magnify His name, to draw the world out of us, and to bring us to total dependency on Him. Is this a hard truth to accept? It can be. But there is freedom in trusting God to shift our perspective from one of despair to everlasting hope in Him, our Good Father.