Humbling yourself
I had a conversation with my son the other day, after messing up and hurting both my children. My daughter and I can both be very stubborn. While she was telling me all the mistakes I had done, I wanted them to see things from my side – instead of just listening to her. I was hurt and upset, because my daughter said all the things she wanted to say, but when it was my turn to speak, she ran out of the room.
Full of wisdom my son picks up two objects, one smaller than the other, and he says: “Mom, sometimes we have to choose to be the least. If you argue with somebody, and they tell you painful things, you have to be smart. There are two outcomes: friendship or animosity. Which do you choose? You may have to bite your tongue, even if you are right. If you choose to be the least, you choose friendship instead of enmity. But, just so you know: I think you were the one being wrong today”.
Wow, such wise words! The Bible says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18) and, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). When you are hurt, and your own child is lecturing you from the Word of God, it is very humbling indeed. My pride could have prevented me from accepting his rebuke, but I felt privileged to see such wisdom in a 13-year-old boy.
God can use anyone to reach your heart with His Word. Kenneth E. Hagin writes in his book The Triumphant Church that, "the task of sowing the incorruptible Word and telling people about Jesus’ victory over Satan is the responsibility of every believer, not just preachers because Jesus said, “Go YE therefore, and teach all nations...' (Matthew 28:19)". When we submit ourselves under God’s Word, we will have victory in our lives.
Trusting in the Lord
Imagine a balance scale. One side is our own control, and the other side is our trust in the Lord. Which side weighs more? We tend to look at things through our own imaginations, circumstances and experiences. But the Bible tells us not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), but to trust in the Lord, who sees the whole picture.
God has often challenged me to let go, and just rest while trusting Him fully. That means I have to let go of my flesh, and make room for Him to enter areas where I want to be in charge myself. We can subdue our flesh by renewing our mind through God’s Word. Bother Hagin continues writing that: “Success and victory come in every circumstance by the Word of God being continually in your mouth and by acting on the Word. Talk and dwell on the Word, not on your problems...”.
The amazing thing is this: God knows what’s best for your life, and He already had a plan for your life before you were born – to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). When Jesus died on the cross, He won victoriously. "We are not only partakers, but we are sharers in Jesus’ victory over Satan. That means we are sharers in the resurrection power of God." "Our seating and reigning with Christ in heavenly places is a position of authority, honor, and triumph — not failure, depression, and defeat."
In the book, Following God’s Plan for your Life by brother Hagin, he writes about the importance of being willing to do anything God asks of you: "Unwillingness to obey God can hinder or delay His plan from being fulfilled in your life". We find a great example of willingness and obedience in Genesis when God tells Abraham to leave his country, his family and the world he is familiar with. “By faith Abraham obeyed... And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). God doesn’t always show us where we are going. But He will show us enough for us to take the next step. Do we trust Him enough for that, or do we need more information before we obey? Abraham put his trust in God, and was greatly blessed.
Even if we have people around us to lean on (family, friends, spouse, etc.), it pleases the Lord when we trust Him fully. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8). When we trust in God and submit ourselves to Him, live according to His Word and use the authority He has given us, we can live a victorious life. What do you choose? Do you want control yourself, or do you want to follow God?
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Article inspired by The Triumphant Church and Following God's Plan for Your Life by Kenneth E. Hagin. Copyright 1993.
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications. RHEMA Bible Church AKA Kenneth Hagin Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. Please visit www.faithlibrary.org for additional materials.
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