It’s time to release your faith for a miracle

Some time ago, I received a letter from a reader who wanted to thank me for my articles in the newspaper. Next, the young man described that he is recovering from a bout with drugs and he is turning his life around. “It is wonderful to know that if I live by God’s will and release my faith for a miracle, remarkable things happen,” he wrote.

“When I was using drugs, I was self-centered and full of fear. Drugs were the only thing that would temporarily fill the hollow space I had inside. I was full of resentments towards others and thought my life would never get better. But I’ve come to know that the people I thought I was angry with had nothing to do with it.”

Letting thoughts of self-deprivation defeat him, this young man soon realized that such negativity and an unhealthy lifestyle would rob him of the wonderful plans that God had specified for his life.

Do you sometimes feel as though the heaviness of the world is on your shoulders, weighing you down and leaving you unable to move forward?

Has the going gotten so tough that giving up seems to be the only solution? And does it appear that there is no hope for victory?

Unhappy, unsure, uneasy, you may then begin to sell yourself short as you ponder upon all of the reasons why your goals can’t come to fruition. Thereafter, you could get so discouraged that you might start living below your capabilities believing that ‘you are inadequate, it’s too far gone,’ and ‘your dreams are over,’ or, you can take the bait and allow others to cleverly deceive you.

The young man’s letter continued, “I was really upset with myself, and all the fears that I had were eating me up. Fear about being alone, of not being loved, or never being successful. But then, I asked God to remove my fears and to help me to deal with them. And He did. I started having situations and experiences involved in my life that

I believe God put there to help me. I learned that I have nothing to fear when living God’s will. The hollow space that I felt was filled with a loving and caring God. By surrendering myself to God every day and carrying out His will have made me a different person. Catherine, thank you. Your stories touch my heart.”

If God helped this reader, He can help you, too. So, work hard and fight the good fight of faith. Healing doesn’t come overnight. But if you trust in God, you will

never be disappointed. God will always bring the faithful to victory.

One warm weekend morning, I went outside and sat on a lawn chair and read in the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis 25:29, about Isaac’s two sons named Esau and Jacob. Esau was the firstborn; and in those days, the family name, spiritual position, and a double portion of the inheritance belonged to the eldest son. It was called the ‘birthright,’ and it was a sacred blessing.

In spite of this tremendous gift, something drove Esau to the breaking point. And with his clouded judgment, rather than thinking about the long-term implications of his choice, Esau gave up his ‘birthright.’ Esau sold this most valuable possession to his brother Jacob for basically a pot of stew and some bread. (Genesis 25:29-34).

In challenging times, do not be tempted or manipulated, like Esau, to give up your ‘birthright.’ Whatever you are battling at this moment, God is greater than it. He is above any situation you may be up against. God is called the great, “I am.” Meaning, God is all-knowing, all-seeing, and an all-powerful Father. And today He is saying to you,

“I am going to ‘lift you up,’ I am going to ‘set your feet upon a rock,’ and I am going to ‘put a new song in your mouth.’” (Psalm 40: 2, 3).

With God by your side, you can overcome and go on to something greater. So put all your hope and trust in Him, for God will not forsake you. Don’t settle or toss away your precious hopes, dreams and aspirations because of a temporary challenge. No matter where you are, where you’ve been, or what you are confronting, never fall short of walking in the life that God intends for you. Your God-given dreams are still within your grasp.

At this instant, God’s gracious hand of favor is at work. He is preparing for you an even grander purpose; and in time, it will be revealed.

• The stumbling blocks you faced will become stepping stones that will propel you to a new point of blessings.

• Unfair knock downs will lift you up into an amazing, new position.

• Roadblocks that have been put into your way, will direct you onto a better path.

• The dream that someone stole from you, will be returned to you in abundance by God.

• And what you thought might be the end, will result in a fresh start.

If you do not give up, it’s amazing

what can materialize. “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about the present result.” (Genesis 50:20).

A few years back, a friend of mine was diagnosed with a serious disease. Yet, in the midst of his treatments, rather than thinking the worse outcome, my friend began to make plans for his victory celebratory party.

Hence, that’s what we need to do when we face tough times. Let’s make plans for our comeback. Let us make plans to accomplish new goals; and like my friend, who is now completely healed, let us make plans for a victory party! “For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:4).

So, prepare for your big moment. Put a smile on your face, as you go forward. You are nearing your breakthrough.

Thus, never give up your ‘birthright.’ There is something extraordinary on its way to you. Do what you can do and God will do the rest.

And your future will be bigger, brighter and far greater than you can even imagine.