It takes FAITH to Listen to God!

As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.

Rom.4:17

One of the hardest things to realize is that God is in control of things when those things are going south and fast. It is also hard to maintain faith, when things like cancer, divorce, bankruptcy, infertility, and unemployment seem to be invading your life on a regular and persistent basis. These types of things get out of your control and you can’t do anything about it. They leave you feeling helpless, and if you're not careful, evil and evil influences can cause you to think that God has abandoned you. 

Something to remember, is that the situation you are in may be out of your control, but it’s not out of God’s control.  

Romans 4:17 reminds us of that. There are two things God does that you can’t do: 

1. He can give life to the dead
2. He can create something out of nothing.

Those are some very awesome things. If God can give life to a dead man, the God can can give life to a dead career, a dying marriage, a fading dream or a financial dead-end. There is a lot of motivational speakers that talk about the power of positive thinking, and positive thinking is a needed thing in life. However, it wasn't just positive thinking that Abraham believed in. Positive thinking beats negative thinking because negative doesn't work! But understand that positive thinking is not faith in God. They are two very different things. Positive thinking works fine in situations you have control over because you can move within the circumstances to change them. It takes faith in God to be in something totally out of your control, beyond your ability, and outside of your means to do anything to get through those things. You need faith in God, because He can control a situation, when you can’t. In fact, most of life is beyond your control, and there is very little that you can manipulate. 

Jesus reminds us in Lke 18:27, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” Throughout the Bible's history, God has specialized in the impossible. We call them miracles and you need to know that God is ready to turn your dead-end into deliverance.

So, here are some good questions to consider on this subject:

• What issues are you facing today that are straining your faith?
• Do you still believe that God is in control and can work with you to change those things?
• Why is it sometimes difficult to admit that something is out of your control?
• Do you feel evil or evil influence whispering in your ear that God has abandoned you?

Maybe it is time today, to quit struggling with life and its circumstances. Positive thinking not working for you? Maybe it is time to understand that it takes more than a positive attitude and thought to get through the turmoil. Perhaps you should try talking to, listening to, and trusting that God has not abandoned you. He's just waiting for you to stop "Kicking against the pricks (Acts 9:5)."

Jim