2 Timothy 4:17
Throughout my trial, I was so aware of the Lord’s tangible presence; he strengthened me with dynamic boldness and assured me that my life will be an accurate conduit of the message articulated in its most complete context, for all the nations to hear! And I was snatched from the very jaws of the lion! (Mirror Bible)
Are you seeing with the eyes of God?
Your relationship with God provides you with the ability to have such strength. You can be calm and without worry in the midst of a trial. Those watching your life will see what has happened or is happening and count you out. They will not understand how you are not losing control. Because of God’s presence, not only can you maintain composure, you can have peace and be victorious.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] (Amplified Bible AMP)
Don’t you want this passage to be true for you? It can be. There are some things you need to consider. The people you spend the most time with influence you. They affect your perspective on how you see your life. It happens when you have an encounter, and you remember your past and present conversations with them. You react the way you have discussed reacting with them.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]. (Amplified Bible AMP)
The affect can be good. However, there can be a different effect if you are not careful who your friends are.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)
The greatest transformation of your actions and thinking comes when you spend time with God.
Ephesians 1:17-18 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. 18 And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people). (Amplified Bible AMP)
He will enlighten you. You will see what He sees and react based on your knowledge of Him.
2 Kings 6:16-17 Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servants eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. (Amplified Bible AMP)
Elisha saw with God’s eyes. He prayed for the Lord to open the eyes of his fear-filled servant. The time you spend with God allows Him to open your eyes. You see every situation for what it is and how God will use it in your life. Then you will not respond with fear, confusion, or defeat. You will see your victory as you walk in faith.
Please agree with me as I pray:
Father, You made a way for me to see my life through Your eyes. Thank You. I repent for the times I allow my circumstances to rattle me. I am sorry I got frazzled when things “seemed” like they were going to the left. I thank You because I can talk to You about every situation. I don’t have to talk to You from a place of anxiety and stress. I can talk to You like a child talks to her father, already knowing that he is going to work it out. I can ask You to show me the situation from Your perspective. You can tell me what You want me to know about what’s going on in my life at any given moment. I am grateful for the time I spend with You; it allows You to trust me. If I continue to be faithful to our time, You will continue to open my eyes. I get excited when I think about it. I can have peace that surpasses man’s understanding, if I abide in You…
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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.