HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part III)

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part III)

 Wisdom dictates that, along this voyage called life, we ANTICIPATE AND PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED.  In other words, LIFE HAPPENS.  Regardless of how seaworthy or stable your ‘vessel’ might be, sooner or later challenging life-circumstances will appear on the horizon to rock your boat!  Sailors call them ROGUE WAVES.  They roll through at any moment, even in the calmest of seas; and their intensity and magnitude potentially disturbs and damages the best-of-the-best ships in any fleet.

 However, never worry about rogue waves.  Since they are completely out of your control, you might as well relax and enjoy the ride.  Right?  Some choose to pass their days in a mindset riddled with paralyzing fear, high anxiety, or quiet desperation.  True believers choose balanced living, replete with peace and tranquility. The prophet Isaiah clearly understood God’s unquestionable sovereignty and unending care for His children. He wrote: “YOU will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

 Kingdom Principle Number Three: GOD IS OUR SOURCE!  In financially troubled times, we are tempted to stress over OUR RESOURCES, instead of focusing all attention on THE SOURCE.  Never forget: “The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1) This means that despite any losses of careers, cars, homes, or even ‘homies’, Christ’s disciples recognize and remember that all of these are mere RESOURCES.  If we don’t lose THE SOURCE, we will find shelter and security during the most vehement storms.  Unquestionably, “the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

 It bears repetition: STOP WORRYING ABOUT RESOURCES!  Do you know who you are?  YOU are the “blessed man” (a spiritual truth that is gender-neutral) that is described in Psalm 1.  Since you consistently delight and meditate in the law of the Lord, your Creator declares this about you: “And he (females included) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3) Allow me to share a powerful revelation with you – an encouraging truth that the Lord deposited in me years ago.  Listen with your spirit.  Most of the things you have LOST are not FRUIT; they are mere LEAVES.  And leaves were actually created to serve a TEMPORARY FUNCTION – and then those leaves will inevitably FALL OFF!

 Kingdom Principle Number Four: LEAVES WILL LEAVE!  You need to declare this liberating Rhema aloud.  Say it: “LEAVES WILL LEAVE!”  But Jesus said, “I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ORDAINED YOU, that ye should go and BRING FORTH FRUIT, and that YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN.” (John 15:16) As long as we are “ROOTED and GROUNDED in LOVE” [GOD IS LOVE states Ephesians 3:17], we will never again worry about LOST LEAVES.  As long as we abide in HIM, Christ declares that we will bring forth “MUCH FRUIT!” (John 12:24) Always remember: TREES ONLY ‘LOOK’ DEAD during winter.  And typically, fruit does not fully manifest during winter.  God says a blessed man will “bring forth his fruit IN HIS SEASON.” (Psalm 1:3) So stop fuming, fretting and fussing about WHAT TIME IT IS…GOD KNOWS YOUR SEASON…AND YOU WILL PRODUCE!

 Understand this: Your winter season is analogous to the disciples’ ship sailing far away from shore.  What is the spiritual message in this?  God is simply saying, ‘Your ship has not YET come in’…but it WILL…if you learn how to WAIT (proactive waiting), with faith, fortitude, courage and consistency!’  The winter season of your natural or spiritual life is quite similar to the foreboding circumstances in which Christ’s twelve disciples found themselves.  They were FAR OUT “in the midst of the sea” (Matthew 14:24), and their remote location precluded help or hope as stormy conditions circumscribed their ship.  They felt alone, victimized by contrary winds and tossing waves.  Nevertheless, JESUS was close by.  Indeed, HE is “a very present help in trouble, therefore WE WILL NOT FEAR.” (Psalm 46:1-2)

 Kingdom Principle Number Five: YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM…YOU ARE A VICTOR!  Due to very dangerous and troubled waters, those disciples DEFINITELY FELT SEASICK AND HEARTSICK – partly because those events occurred during “the fourth watch of the night” while they were shrouded in pitch-black darkness.  The disciples could SEE NOTHING!  Light was absolutely unavailable; the sun had long since set; the moon and stars were hiding in the obscurity of ominous clouds.  Their sails had been trimmed, and they were rocking, rolling and reeling in the middle of a tumultuous sea, totally at the mercy of terrifying winds and horrific waves.

 HOWEVER…in their hour of deepest despair, along came JESUS CHRIST…the Author and Finisher of their fleeting, fading and failing faith!  Along came JESUS CHRIST, walking calmly over raging seas, through howling tempests!  Along came JESUS CHRIST on His life-or-death rescue mission, because (from a distance) He had heard the hapless cries of His children.  My friend, do not succumb to anxiety or fear.  JESUS CHRIST HAS ALREADY HEARD YOUR CRY, AND HELP IS ON THE WAY!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!