Saturday, May 21, 2016

Over All of It

It’s time to choose.
You’ve just been handed a circumstance. It’s something you never wanted, never expected, and weren’t prepared for.  How will you get “over it”?
a)   Let it overtake you.
b)  Let it overwhelm you.
c)   Let it bring out the overcomer in you.
You might have noticed that all of the questions begin with the word “Let”. That’s no mistake.  We might not be able to control the circumstance we find ourselves in but we can choose how we respond to it. it. And let’s be clear about one other matter… Our reaction and our response are two different things. A reaction is immediate, it can include emotions and feelings, anger and fear.  A response is an action we take after the dust has settled and we’ve thoughtfully decided how to move forward.  In a response we can take our time, sort out our feelings from our options, and even seek advice. 

Although the we know the answer should be c) - we may feel trapped in a) or b).  So let’s examine the choices to find out why we might get stuck in the first two.  

To be overtaken by a surprising circumstance can be like runners in a race that are met and then passed by an opponent. We need to keep in mind that we may have this happen. It’s probably what surprised us in the first place. We also need to keep in mind that to be passed or overtaken by our opponent (Satan) doesn’t mean the race is over. The winner has already been decided and it is all of us on God’s team. To be a part of the winning team we can’t quit when the opponent seems to be in the lead; we need to keep racing.

“For everyone who has been born again in God is a part of the victory; and the weapon that has overcome the plans of the enemy is this - our faith to continue.” 1 John 5:4 ES

I am a child of the King
Highly Favored
A Blessed Overcomer
To be overwhelmed means to feel a strong and sudden emotion that leaves us unable to move. This may seem like a valid choice given some circumstances that could be thrown at us; however, the key here is to only allow ourselves to be overwhelmed for a temporary period since being overwhelmed is a single element reaction – emotional. For clarity, our emotions are not to be toyed with. They can be strong and they can seem to last for long periods. They can feel uncontrollable. They can be intense. They can also come back years after a situation has ended and they can rise up without notice. Emotions are something to be managed. They are not to be trusted when it comes to decision making.


Awhile back, I heard a pastor say how much they loved pity parties and that they were very good at them.  They also said, “Feel the feelings and have a party. Then, at midnight, end the party and kick out the party goers and get some sleep – Tomorrow is a new day”.  Feelings can help us identify the root of our hurt, or when we’ve been wronged or betrayed. They are only indicators so we can deal with the situation more appropriately. Just know, they can be tainted by past experiences, influenced by hormones, and used by the enemy to get us off track.  We should use them for our benefit but not be controlled by them, and certainly not be overwhelmed for extended periods.   

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart;

I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 ESV

And so we arrive at the best answer,
c) Let the situation bring out  The Overcomer  in us.  
To spite our feelings that rise up or our instant outlook of doom we do have an overcomer in us. First, if we are born again in God we are His children and therefore royal blood destined to win in the end. Secondly, the battle is the Lord’s and it’s not our fight. He is in control of the outcome and is with us on the journey to strengthen, comfort and guide.  Lastly, whatever this world throws at us we can be sure that God will use it for good and for our good.

What shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine

or nakedness or danger or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than

conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:35-37

 We may not like having to go through the surprising situation but if we put our faith in God and keep our courage going we will come out on the other side and, as Pastor Martinez says, “meet Jesus in victory He bought for us in advance and emerge with a stronger faith and a story to tell.  You might not care about this part as you are going through the trial but God has given us a precious gift of power.  You see, our story of faith can be used to encourage others during their trial.  It is also one of only two things that overtake, overwhelmed and overcome Satan.  Revelation 12:11 tells us, “They overcame the enemy by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; because they both loved not their lives unto the death.”

Jesus died and shed His blood as the sacrifice for all people. We get to tell our story to others after we move through the trials; some of which could have killed us. Blood, Faith and Victory over Death – that’s what prevails over all of it. ng AngerCaring For OthersFaultsAbuse From a SpouseUnforgivenessGrace, In Human RelationshipsBrotherly LoveReconciliation, Between BelieversCharitable AttitudeKindnessCaringCompassionResponseAffection, ExpressingForgive OthersForgiving Ones EnemiesImitating Jesus



Lord, I thank you. Because of you, I have been justified through faith, and I have peace with God through you, Jesus.  I also have access, by faith, into a life of ultimate grace in which I now stand and continue to stand through each trial. I pray that God’s glory shines in my sufferings, and that my suffering will produce perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. He has guaranteed that having hope will not put me to shame, because God’s love has been daily poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit, who has also been given to me as a guide, and en-courage-er. Like you paid for my sins in advance, today I choose courage in advance. I choose to trust the overcomer and to be an overcomer.  From Romans 5:1-5

Click here to see a music video of encouragement

 

HERE ARE THE LYRICS TO THE SONG.  YOU MIGHT WANT TO PRINT THEM AND HANG THEM ON THE FRIDGE OR YOUR DRESSING MIRROR, PERHAPS GIVE THEM TO A FRIEND.
"Overcomer"

Staring at a stop sign
Watching people drive by
T Mac on the radio
Got so much on your mind
Nothing's really going right
Looking for a ray of hope

Whatever it is you may be going through
I know He's not gonna let it get the best of you

You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round
You're not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when He reminds You
That you're an overcomer
You're an overcomer

Everybody's been down
Hit the bottom, hit the ground
Ooh, you're not alone

Just take a breath, don't forget
Hang on to His promises
He wants You to know

The same Man, the Great I am
The one who overcame death
He's living inside of You
So just hold tight, fix your eyes
On the one who holds your life
There's nothing He can't do
He's telling you

Take a breath, don't forget, Hang on to His promises

You're an overcomer

So don't quit, don't give in, you're an overcomer
Don't quit, don't give in, you're an overcomer
Don't quit, don't give in, you're an overcomer
You're an overcomer
Songwriters
BENJAMIN GLOVER, CHRISTOPHER E. STEVENS, DAVID ARTHUR GARCIA


Published by Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group


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