Spiritual Stagnation
Have you ever felt like you're on the edge of a breakthrough and you look up to see you are actually going backwards? The journey backwards presents itself as a path of familiarity because you know the conditions and you know what to expect. The breakthrough represents the unknown and it requires an act of faith. The other road is a cycle of unbelief. These series of events causes a dilemma between faith and unbelief. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV says, "Now faith is the substance of thing s hope for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith is the substance of our walk with God. Also Hebrews 11:6 NKJV says, " But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Therefore, we must possess hope in God's power and promise. We have to trust God's word and live our life according to it.
In my life, I have had difficulties breaking unhealthy patterns. One of the patterns I struggled with breaking free from was a toxic relationship. We were two broken people who had come together trying to have a whole relationship, yet cutting each other on our shattered past. Our home was filled abuse and our children suffered as a result of the environment we created. There were times we would breakup and get back together. I had come to realize that it wasn't love that brought us together but fear. I was scared of what my life would be without him and I was terrified of the life I had with him. I chose to stay in bondage. Even when freedom presented itself, I chose enslavement. There were factors that influenced my decision to stay. One of the main reasons I stayed was the love I had for my children and ultimately the same love I had for them forced me to leave. My desire for them was a two parent househoId because I wasn’t raised by any of my parents. I bounced around from different family members homes growing up. There can be many reasons a person is compelled to stay in a bad situation. A person must evaluate their own situation to determine what’s keeping them and holding them hostage to pain. I remember I was listening to a pastor on TV and he was talking to single mothers. He said, "stop complaining about the father of your children not being present in your children's life, because sometimes their presence could do more damage than their absence." I had to make a decision and make it fast not only for my wellbeing but my children as well. I began seeking the Lord for a way of escape. I started to study and pray. I would cry out to God and I allowed myself to became vulnerable before. Then He started revealing Himself to me. The more I seeked Him the more I found me. I got the strength and courage to leave and I did just that. I am not trying to minimize the danger some people are facing when it comes to abusive relationships nor am I saying it's easy. I will say God is the exit strategy.
In the book of Exodus, God provided an exit strategy to the children of Israel. He also allowed them to experience His miraculous power and promise. They were able to get from under the control of Pharaoh. Then they began the journey to the Promised Land, which God promised it would be a land flowing with milk and honey. The conditions on the road to the promise was not favorable or comfortable. They began to complain and unbelief set in their hearts. It got so bad that they wanted to return to the oppressor instead of trusting the one who blessed them to be released from their imprisoned state. We can't allow our complaining to overshadow our blessing. There is a thin line between hoping God would make a way and knowing God has the power to make a way. They hoped their situation would change but they didn't believe that the place was already prepared for them.
We have to be careful not to be so distracted by our current circumstances that we forfeit our blessings. In this walk of faith, we can't afford to go backwards and we have to be aware of the cycles of destruction that tries to come our way to hinder us for inheriting the promises of God. The amazing thing about God is, even when we don't fully trust Him, He still grants us grace and mercy. There is never a limited supply of His love and power. Just like the children of Israel, I to have complained after God delivered from the hand of the enemy. I to have had a slave mentality. I to have failed to surrender to freedom when the shackles released it hold it had on me. As a Christian, we should walk in freedom and operate in liberty. Liberty allows for us to use our freedom responsibly. We have the responsibility of living a life pleasing to God. The way we please Him is by having faith in Him and His word. No matter what it looks like or how we feel, we have to make the choice to chose Christ everyday. We have to trust His instruction and follow His direction, which helps us to stop repeating cycles of spiritual stagnation that keep us bond.
Soulful Gem: This is your exodus season, so don't be distracted by the overwhelming situation you might be experiencing. God is the exit strategy
Prayer: Father, I thank you for making a way in my life when there was no way. Thank you for your grace and mercy, which guides me. Forgive, me for complaining and not trusting your power to change my situation. I give it all to you. Lord, increase my faith and provide me the patience to trust you in spite of what I see. God deliver me from spiritual stagnation. I am standing on your word,promises, and your power. I know you are my way of escape. So I am leaning depending on you and you only. In Jesus Name, Amen!