The more you know, the more you’ll end up utilizing the more that you know. It sounds odd at first, but it’s so very true. For instance, my kiddos never used the process of multiplication before they learned multiplication. I also never knew that I needed to cook pasta a certain way until I was learning how to cook pasta (for some reason it was really intimidating… I was 24). Seems like an oh duh concept, but this is knowledge. We learn, we put into practice what we’ve learned, and we will hopefully continue to go on learning.
As I’ve been reading through the Bible, not in any particular order, I’ve noticed a common oh duh theme with people we recognize as having had great faith: they chose wisely on where they put their focus.
Instead of focusing on his old age (as well as his wife’s old age), Abraham focused on God’s promise. Joseph could have focused on bitterness and unforgiveness, but he chose differently when dealing with his brothers. Instead of focusing on the great giants in the land, Caleb and Joshua focused on God being bigger and fiercer. Ruth could have thrown a great pity party, but chose to be submissive, hardworking and bold. David could have focused on all the terrible things he had done (remember that he took another man’s wife and had that man killed), but instead he focused on God’s goodness, unfailing love, grace, and mercy.
There’s story after story of choices being made in regard to focus. Pieces of history that highlight a mindset that helps shape how we approach God and faith. We see courage, boldness, and resolve on almost every single page of scripture. We read about all of these significant moments where the future hinged on a choice of focus, and we see God do mighty things through them and for them.
I recently had a bit of a breakdown. I’m not proud of it, but once I was on the other side, I was able to appreciate the process. There’s no such thing as an emotional explosion because of just one thing – it may be ignited by one thing, but it’s usually fueled by multiple things. My multiple things hit me like a mac truck. What’s worse than a pity party is when you recognize the pity party for what it is and still toss confetti in the air.
I never wavered in knowing that God loved me, that I loved God, and that I knew situations would turn around, but I was taking a moment to focus on a loss. A loss of timing, a loss of direction, a loss of what I saw as future possibilities. Okay, so I was wallowing for a minute. But I noticed something while throwing the confetti. I was imagining the terrible outcomes that might happen and I was not imagining anything with God’s promises as the foundation.
I was focusing on something that was not of God. I was letting my imagination run in a very sad direction. I was using something God gave me – the ability to imagine – in a way that did not give Him glory. I was imagining defeat. I was imagining loss.
My God is undefeated, and He doesn’t deal out losses.
We have the same choice to make that all of our Bible heroes had and it’s all about where we put our focus. We can either cower before the giants in the land or we can stand and watch the giants fall before our God.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
Sometimes I find it helpful to play the game of opposites to see things in a new light. This is the alternative to that verse (only according to yours truly) – Anything that is false, crooked, wrong, polluted, repugnant, reprehensible, if there is any horrible situation or anything that causes shame and condemnation, you’ll die if you dwell on those things.
Well, those are the kind of thoughts I was thinking during my confetti-throwing moments recently. While I was very aware of God’s love for me, I wasn’t seeking comfort from Him. I wasn’t happy at all where I was, but I felt as though the giants I was up against had found a way around God and were about to bring me down (or at least keep me out of the Promised Land for a while longer).
What can we do in those situations, during those times when we feel alone and the confetti seems so tempting?
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 NASB
The more I know about the benefits of getting into God’s Word, the more I find I need to utilize getting into God’s Word. As I learn about the spiritual warfare that is always being waged, I find that I’m more and more aware of the spiritual forces that are at work – for or against me. The only way to transform our minds from worldly problems is to find out the heavenly promises.
A favorite author (Dr. Paul Ellis) wrote that he had turned his focus in the wrong direction. He had picked up the confetti so to speak and began to indulge in self-pity. With his head in his hands, he saw a vision of Jesus next to him in the same exact posture and said, “You’re right, I have no idea what I’m going to do about this…” Then Jesus threw His head back and laughed and laughed and laughed. The author continued on by saying that as soon as he saw Jesus, he was set free from the lie that had him feeling defeated.
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3 NASB
When we’re having a good day, we need to be looking at Jesus. When we’re tempted by the confetti, we really need to look to Jesus. In order to stand in victory over our giants, we have to see Jesus. God is mightier and fiercer than any giant we will ever come up against in this life. Bigger than relationships, children, finances, politics… you name it. God. Is. Bigger. And God is on your side.