When the Fourth Man Appears In the Flames

Proverbs 3: 5 - 6, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. NKJV

Are you faced with making some tough decisions right now? If so, then it tells me there's an issue that you're facing that doesn't seem to have a good answer. As a pastor, I see the difficulties facing our families, communities, and our nation. We continually receive prayer requests from individuals in need of God's wisdom and direction. Its one thing for life to be complex, but it also appears to be perplexing... a person just doesn't know which direction to take. 

If this describes your personal situation, then know that the Lord has a Word for you today. When we are faced with decisions that don't have good choices, then the only thing to do is look to the Lord for His direction. I didn't write that statement to be a clique'; it was written as a truth that we must consider. In the past, I have been in financial situations that have placed me at the mercy of other people. For instance, once upon a time, we didn't know if the bank would allow us to remain in our home, or would choose to take it from us?

Some of the greatest decisions that I have had to face have been when the outcome was ultimately in someone else's control. What makes these trials so difficult is the feeling of helplessness. If you are currently in one of those situations (you feel helpless and out of control of the situation), then you must do as the scripture instructs us all to do, you must trust the Lord. In circumstances where the outcome of a house, a health condition, or a verdict is in someone else's power, it can challenge you on many different levels. Since you feel powerless to affect the outcome, you must have the ability to trust God and know that He has your best interest at heart. If you struggle with trusting in the Lord, because He has somehow allowed this to happen to you, then you will fall prey to Satan's lies.

Not only will Satan make you feel helpless, but he will also cause you to feel worthless as well. In the absence of trust, self-condemnation and self-doubt will begin to emerge. If this describes your emotional state, then you might be only one or two steps away from giving up all hope. This is exactly where Satan wants you, but you don't have to allow the situation to isolate you from the power of God; His power can turn this trial into a glorious triumph. Remember, the Word says that you and I are more than conquerors through Christ. We are not the victim of life's circumstances unless we choose to be. Look up to the Lord from where you are, and ask Him to guide your steps in the coming days. Ask Him to intervene in the decisions of those who are (seemingly) in control of your situation. Then watch the Lord come into the furnace with you and loose you from all of the fear, doubt, worry, and anxiousness and liberate you... while you're still in the flames! You will know that you have touched the Lord when you begin to have rest about the outcome.

By the way, the Lord made the bank work with us, until we were able to get back on our financial feet almost 10 years ago. Since then, we have never been 30 days late for a payment to the glory of God.

For the Glory of God,