I've been down with a virus for a few weeks now. It always amazes me how a tiny, microscopic bug can cause such wreckage. You would think that our size would intimidate the bugger but even though it's small it's mighty! As it is taking a road trip throughout my body I realize that nothing I do to fight it has any effect. It's unstoppable until it finalizes its mission. I am held captive to it until it is finished with me.
During this down time I've spent a lot of time talking with Jesus and letting Him talk to me. One of my favorite things to do while spending time with Him is to call to mind and take account of all the changes He has made in my character, behavior and life. I am NOT the same person I used to be and I love praising God for all His beautiful work in my life! I'm no longer a weak-minded, cowering and broken person that's taken down at every hardship.
Years ago I purchased a small bible study book entitled, "Distorted Images of God" and through reading it I discovered many things in my belief system that were infected with a virus of sorts. Because of my past experiences I had a hard time believing God loved me or cared about me. I believed He was sinister and manipulative in regards to my life. My self-worth and my worth in His eyes was rock bottom from my perspective. As I worked through that bible study God used His Word to correct all those lies I believed. I began auto-correcting every lie into a truthful biblical pronouncement. I proclaimed God's love for me in my heart and aloud while at the same time getting God's Word planted deep within me. God changed me through my trials which made me see that each hardship was really a gift.
In many ways, God's unrelenting love for us is like a virus. It takes us over and has it's way with us. It's out of our control as to how long the event will take. His love holds us captive until He completes the work of sanctification in our lives. His microscopic Holy Spirit which is able to permeate the tiniest of recesses in our minds, hearts, spirits and souls reaches deep within us to reveal and heal our weak areas. Just as a virus builds our immune system so it can fight future attacks, so God's work in us prepares us for future spiritual attacks!
Prior to believing in God's love for me, I let every instance or event that was not pleasing to me take me down. I had NO SPIRITUAL IMMUNE SYSTEM. I was weak, ineffective and terrified whenever any attacks came. The virus that I was infected with was not one of truth but one of lies. Satan always sends the same virus, the same lies and misconceptions. The virus of lies never builds our spiritual immune systems it only deteriorates us more and more each time. But, I am telling you my brothers and sisters in Christ to let the God of Love infect you with the virus of truth and love. Let Him build you up into a warrior that will not shrink back or shrivel up when hardships come. In your times of weakness He will be your strength and you will have praise on your lips even though you may be suffering. Our hope is in the Lord. His plans are to prosper us, not to harm us.... Jeremiah 29:11. Once infected with God's love we are then called to go spread it! Let your hope and joy contaminate others.
Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it...Philippians 1:6
Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2...
Rejoice, for these trials make you partners with Christ in His sufferings, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:13
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
During this down time I've spent a lot of time talking with Jesus and letting Him talk to me. One of my favorite things to do while spending time with Him is to call to mind and take account of all the changes He has made in my character, behavior and life. I am NOT the same person I used to be and I love praising God for all His beautiful work in my life! I'm no longer a weak-minded, cowering and broken person that's taken down at every hardship.
Years ago I purchased a small bible study book entitled, "Distorted Images of God" and through reading it I discovered many things in my belief system that were infected with a virus of sorts. Because of my past experiences I had a hard time believing God loved me or cared about me. I believed He was sinister and manipulative in regards to my life. My self-worth and my worth in His eyes was rock bottom from my perspective. As I worked through that bible study God used His Word to correct all those lies I believed. I began auto-correcting every lie into a truthful biblical pronouncement. I proclaimed God's love for me in my heart and aloud while at the same time getting God's Word planted deep within me. God changed me through my trials which made me see that each hardship was really a gift.
In many ways, God's unrelenting love for us is like a virus. It takes us over and has it's way with us. It's out of our control as to how long the event will take. His love holds us captive until He completes the work of sanctification in our lives. His microscopic Holy Spirit which is able to permeate the tiniest of recesses in our minds, hearts, spirits and souls reaches deep within us to reveal and heal our weak areas. Just as a virus builds our immune system so it can fight future attacks, so God's work in us prepares us for future spiritual attacks!
Prior to believing in God's love for me, I let every instance or event that was not pleasing to me take me down. I had NO SPIRITUAL IMMUNE SYSTEM. I was weak, ineffective and terrified whenever any attacks came. The virus that I was infected with was not one of truth but one of lies. Satan always sends the same virus, the same lies and misconceptions. The virus of lies never builds our spiritual immune systems it only deteriorates us more and more each time. But, I am telling you my brothers and sisters in Christ to let the God of Love infect you with the virus of truth and love. Let Him build you up into a warrior that will not shrink back or shrivel up when hardships come. In your times of weakness He will be your strength and you will have praise on your lips even though you may be suffering. Our hope is in the Lord. His plans are to prosper us, not to harm us.... Jeremiah 29:11. Once infected with God's love we are then called to go spread it! Let your hope and joy contaminate others.
Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it...Philippians 1:6
Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2...
Rejoice, for these trials make you partners with Christ in His sufferings, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:13
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
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