Are You Better or Bitter?

Recently, A close friend, we'll call him Michael, came to me for wisdom on how to handle a situation that wounded him and left him angry. In this particular matter, Michael was in every sense of the word, a victim. He had done nothing wrong, nor did Michael do anything to provoke such an attack. The more he thought about it, the more wronged he felt. Being a new convert, He didn't know what he was suppose to do with all this anger or rather, what God would have him do.

You see, It produced no benefit to view himself as a victim- as a matter of fact, the victim role he was casting himself in only continued to place power in the hands of the offendors. I shared with Michael the different battles I've had to face, some were of my own doings- others were all out attacks when I had done nothing wrong. Through every battle, in every offense- I had to ask myself, "Am I going to let this make me bitter, or Am I going to grow and be better?" This is where a lot of people get stuck in life- they're victims of an offense and because they were not taught how to come out of it better, they spend the rest of their lives in that one moment....reliving it....victimized over and over again....a month later, still there....5 years later, still the victim...the cycle continues until there is no more life to be lived.

We have all faced situations in which we were the victim, but trust me, no body's sympathies can dig you out. So you were right, they were wrong- does that help? No. The only way out of an offense is to stop being the victim. My montra is, "It's not what happens to you that defines who you are, It's what you DO with what happens to you that defines who you are." The bible says, "God will take anything the enemy meant to harm you and turn it around for your good." "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." "Every tongue that rises against you in judgement, God will show to be in the wrong."

With each offense, we have to go to God and ask what He would have us do. Your focus cannot be on who is right and who is wrong- it leaves no room for growth. Find a deeper meaning, search for God and His ways, His thoughts and you'll be empowered....If you settle for focusing on right and wrong, you'll stay a victim and there is no glory in that...

Never Let Them See You Sweat...

I read an article once after our high school football team, who was considered the underdog, won. The opposing team's coach said, "They aren't really a good team, they just exploited our weakness." As soon as I read those words, I heard God say, "That's how the enemy is- he doesn't really have any power, he just exploits your weakness." You see, the enemy doesn't have the power to do anything but lie to you and convince you of untruths. You are actually the one with all the power to control the things that go on in your life- Proverbs 6:1-2 "...They ensnare themselves by the words of their mouth", Proverbs 18:21 "The power of life and death is in the tongue", and Mark 11:23 "...he shall have whatsoever he saith." The bible makes it clear, whatever you say will manifest in your life- good or bad. The only power the enemy has is to lie to you- if he can get you to believe a lie, you will most certainly speak it.

An even bigger key here is the enemy can't hear your thoughts, he can only determine what areas you are weak in by the words you speak. It is so important to speak words that place the direction of your life in God's hands and not in the enemy's. When bad news comes in- do not speak fear-filled words over the situation. Instead, simply say, "I trust you, Father.." and see how He'll turn it around to bless you. Too often, we speak out of our mouths the very things we don't want to happen and then we find ourselves confused when they do happen.

Determine to live a life of victory by speaking the Word of God everyday over every situation. Your life is and always will be dictated by what you say. Deny the enemy any right to your life....when something that seems bad comes your way-praise God for turning it around for your good and God will manifest blessings before your eyes. Keep the enemy silent by Living The Word Out Loud.....