Article: 005

 

BEING MORE THAN A SURVIVOR

 

An unfortunate truth is that there are far too many Christians in this world that spend more time just trying to survive living than actually enjoying it. Jesus died to give us victory, but we, as His children, seem unable to claim that victory and just simply do not know how to be happy.

 

Philippians 4:11b&12 (NIV)

“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

 

There are two things we can learn from the above scripture:

1.                   We CAN be happy and content, no matter what we are going through

2.                  How to be happy in all situations is a secret

 

Dealing with the first point of being happy in all situations is not limited to those born with the natural ability to always see the glass as being half fill. We can all learn to rise above our circumstances, it’s obviously just more easy for some than for others.

 

The second point is the one I find more intriguing – the key to finding perpetual happiness is a secret. Now why would God do that? Why would He keep a secret of how we can be happy regardless of our circumstances?

 

In the book of Matthew Jesus’ disciples came to Him and asked why He spoke to the people in parables. Jesus gave the following reply:

 

Matthew 13:11-15 (NKJV)

He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him……For the hearts of this people have grown dull.”

 

Now we know that God has secrets that He wants to reveal to us, but our hearts are not prepared to receive the revelations of these secrets. So many of us cannot be faithful with the little we have and yet we expect God to give us more. If we cannot learn to be content with what we have, do we really believe that we will be content with having more?

 

Even if God were to use a giant billboard or sky sign writing which shouted out the secret to contentment, there would be still be many people who would sit with a question mark above their heads saying, “I still don’t get it.” The secret to contentment will not be given to those who seek it, because their search will be based purely on themselves and on what they want – it will be given to those who persevere through trials and keep their eyes on God.

And there it is; there’s the secret. Keeping your eyes on the prize – Jesus Christ.

 

No matter how many times life punches us in the face, turn back to look at Him. No matter how many times life spits at us, clear your eyes to look again at Him. No matter how many times life knocks us off of our feet and onto our backs, keep your eyes on Him.

 

And don’t think that having faith and keeping your eyes on Jesus for a day, a week or even a month is long enough. After two months don’t be willing to throw in the towel if things just don’t seem to be going right. There is no time frame before giving up because giving up will only lead to despair and defeat; giving up is not an option.

 

There will be times when the spiritual and emotional exhaustion will take a toll physically, but you still can’t give up. Don’t try to be brave or force yourself to be strong – cry if you need to cry, don’t hold the tears back if they want to flow, but afterwards wash your face, get on your knees and look back at the face of Jesus and thank Him for His love and for always being in control.

 

At some stage or another we all make the attempt in our lifetimes to get out of the boat and walk on water. It’s only a few, however, who don’t sink or fall back into the boat. It’s a fewer percentage of people who, after failing on their first attempt, risk a second, third or ninety-ninth attempt at getting out of the boat time after time. Yet this is the key that opens the door to spiritual contentment. And spiritual contentment leads to contentment in the flesh, regardless of circumstances.

 

You don’t know what is going on behind the scenes. God may not have sorted your problems or attacks against you out in your timing, but you have no idea what work He may be doing in the lives of those coming against you or even in the life of you yourself. Sorting things out in your timing would simply just not be enough time for lessons to be learnt and hearts to be changed. You will also never know how much you love and trust God or how strong your faith really is without it being tried and tested to the full.

 

The more we practice keeping our eyes on Jesus and off of the waves threatening to drown us, the more our hearts rejoice. Eventually there will be a breakthrough and you can look at your life and realize that you are no longer just trying to survive, but by keeping your eyes on Jesus and realizing that this life is temporary and that Jesus is forever, you too will be able to find that elusive contentment in all situations.

 

Oh how much better it is to gaze into the loving face of our Saviour while we are threatened with drowning than to look at the dark, intimidating waves that feel nothing for us and seek only our destruction.

 

The size of each persons storm varies, but it is important, at all times, when the fear of drowning becomes overwhelming, to refocus our sights and look at the loving face of Jesus, who has His hand stretch out to us.

 

 

God bless,

 

Reaching Out Ministries