HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES - Part II

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES - Part II

Our faith-walk involves a process which seldom presents instantaneous results.  That’s why Jesus Christ declares “in your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)  Patience may be defined as the elapsed time between earth’s cry and Heaven’s response.  Although Jesus hastened forthwith to lift ‘Water-Walking-Peter’ from troubled seas, perhaps (to the despairing sinker) it felt more like an eternity, while he was trapped within those terrible seconds of anguish and anxiety.  Nevertheless, despite our human perspective, we serve a GOD who always shows up on time to transform tragedy into triumph.  That’s why we wait (expectantly) on Him.  David said “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

When Jesus issued the directive, ‘Get in the ship and go on to the other side,’ His disciples never hesitated.  Numerous experiences had produced a knowledgeable confidence that it was both reasonable and right to invest total trust in THE MASTER.  What they did not know is that every divine commission requires both risk and sacrifice.  But our God consistently comforts us ahead of those testing times: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when you walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:2)  

However, after our initial call, with its subsequent and inevitable challenges, it is tempting to question whether we were actually called by God, especially when we stand face-to-face with tenacious troubles.  Our thoughts so something like this:  ‘Lord, did you REALLY say we should get in this ship and go to the other side?  Was that YOU, or was that our imagination working overtime?’  But since the Holy Spirit is a Comforter, He always breathes soothing and sustaining Words of life into our spirits.  After his trial-by-water, Peter nailed it!  “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.” (I Peter 5:10)   We WILL make it through the storm; our perspective will be changed and our faith strengthened!  The mere fact that we are experiencing danger or detours along the path of our journey does not invalidate or nullify the original call of God.

Faith in God’s eternal Word always produces fulfillment within the context of time.  But here’s the rub: We don’t know the precise ‘when’ of God’s timing; which is to say that CHRONOS is never intimately acquainted or synchronized with KAIROS.  Stated more simply and in the vernacular…God’s timing ain’t ours!  In our foundational scripture (Matthew 14:22-34), there is what I call a ‘frustration gap’ between verse 22 and verse 34.  Jesus says “GO” in verse 22, and the disciples have finally “LANDED” in verse 34.  But it’s the IN-BETWEEN-STUFF that is the real trial of our faith.  I smile when we testify confidently and enthusiastically (after the fact) with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.  But the real truth is that there are times WHILE we are passing through troubled waters that we are not feeling or sensing any measure of victory.

There are several Kingdom principles in this scriptural passage that should be highlighted.  First of all, after Jesus issued the command to cross over, He went up onto the mountain to pray.  This was surely a targeted prayer, with the express purpose of undergirding the disciples for whatever challenges they would confront while obeying His command.  I love the fact that JESUS CHRIST is still our INTERCESSORY HIGH PRIEST!  Hebrews 4:14-15 informs and inspires us: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  And I Timothy 2:5 confirms this fact: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”  His High Priestly function positions Him as our effective and eternal advocate, so why should we ever worry?  Think about it.  Jesus strongly advises against anxiety of any stripe, since our Father is the Supplier of ALL our need. (Matthew 6:25-32 and Philippians 4:19)  G-O-D HAS OUR BACK!

The second Kingdom principle to be highlighted is found in verse 24.  It seems that whenever we decide to ‘launch out into the deep’ that our milestone-of-obedience becomes a perilous moment-of-manifestation for buffeting waves and contrary winds.  One of my friends is an excellent sailor, and he tells me that every good sailor lives in expectation of robust and hearty winds. I t seems that smooth and polished seas are a death knell to sailing forward with power.  Sisters and brothers, those contrary winds do not come to break you; they appear to MAKE YOU…GO…and GROW!  God somehow repositions angry-looking winds at your back, but they are divinely transformed into gusts of dunamis (vigorous spiritual power) to transport you forward with passion and purpose.  So stop cursing those prevailing winds, and start blessing them via fervent prayer and faith-filled praise. (James 5:16)  Indeed, they are the unseen and unexpected vehicles that will carry you THROUGH your tests and TO your destiny.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.