How often do we see our circumstances with spiritual eyes? Oh, to live in the realm of the Spirit to such an extent! I was deeply moved 1 ½ years ago when a dear friend visited me in the hospital after our third child was born. As she rocked my newborn baby and we chatted, I was in awe of her joy. A few years ago, she lost her baby. He died while she was in labor, before he was ever born.
How was she able to hold my baby with such a presence of peace about her? She saw her experience and mine through spiritual eyes. She saw God’s hand in the entire situation. She had grieved, struggled, wrestled with God, and found his grace in her sorrow. She was able to move on. It was a powerful testimony of Christ centered living.
Advertisement
IV. A Victorious Life Has Hope for the Future
Finally, Paul had hope for the future. News of his conversion preceded him in the churches of Judea. They heard that he who once persecuted the church was now a preacher of the gospel. The Spirit had prepared the way for Paul. He did not need to fear. If we are living by the Spirit, we need not to live in fear as well.
Where is God in the midst of your circumstances? What is God trying to tell you? Here are some practical steps that you can take to answer these questions:
1. Forgive yourself, others and God.
2. Let go of the past. Place it in God’s hands. Imagine nailing your past to the cross.
3. Abide in Christ. John 15:9 reminds us to abide in the love of Christ, not fear, the approval and opinions of others, our past, nor our future.
4. Read books on the spiritual disciplines.
5. Talk to and pray with trusted Christian friends.
6. Pray. Pray. Pray.
Like Paul, we too can live victorious lives. We can be free from our past, live confidently in the present and find hope for the future. (Paula Fontana Qualls)
