I have been learning to think in “opposites” lately.
The Lord has had me in the training process of how to respond in the “opposite” way of what I might initially lean towards. I’m not talking about “gut feelings”, I’m talking about “flesh”, I’m talking about old mindsets.
Using “opposites” in facing “opposition” — opposition of the enemy and opposition of my own flesh.
“Gosh, I don’t feel like doing this….it’s inconvenient.” = Maybe I should do it. See what God wants to do through this situation.
“I don’t feel like I can do this.” = I probably need to go for it and see what God can do.
“I’m scared and want to run.” = Just do it afraid. Do it “shakingly” if need be. It will be worth it.
“I don’t want to face this.” = Face it. Seek the Lord.
“I don’t have enough.” = He is abundant.
What’s trying to hold me back? What can I do to make sure I’m not “held back”?
I am learning to see things this way and it’s so interesting. Interesting to look back and interesting to look at now and to see patterns and attempts and how my decisions and choices can affect so much.
But… I have to also remember that when I feel the pressure of making decisions (a thing that is very hard to me) I need to remember to rest in the Lord and trust that He will guide me. He is guiding me. He is speaking to me. When I feel like I wonder whether or not He is, I need to remember the truth and the truth says that I am His sheep and I hear His voice. I am led by Him.
Look at the words of Psalm 91 and how they might seem so far from the way reality might “seem” in the moment. But Psalm 91 is the Word, and the Word is truth. What happens when we speak the truth? It comes alive in our situation. What a powerful weapon when we think of “opposites”…
I know that when I question if He’s near,
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”
I know that when I feel unsafe and unstable, I can proclaim,
“…He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Him I will trust.”
When I am in need of comfort,
“He shall cover me with His feathers, and under His wings I shall take refuge.”
I know that when I am afraid of the attempts of the enemy I can say,
“Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the perilous pestilence.”
When I am spooked or afraid when I’m alone and it’s late at night,
“I shall not be afraid of the terror by night.”
And when the battle is hard in the day and I don’t know if I can go on,
“…Nor of the arrow that flies by day…nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday…”
When I am concerned about sickness or uncertainty,
“No evil shall befall us, nor shall any plague come near our dwelling.”
When I know that I might be in a risky situation and the pressure is on,
“For He shall give His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. In their hands they shall bear me up, lest I dash my foot against a stone.”
When I am NOT feeling victorious,
“I shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent I shall trample underfoot.”
When I second-guess my deliverance,
The Lord has said in His Word, “Because he has set my love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known My name.”
When I wonder if He is hearing my cry for help,
The Lord says, “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him. I will deliver him and honor him.”
When I question the Lord’s plan and guidance for my life,
The Lord says in His Word, “With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”
–Heather ?