Two women hear about an upscale store having a fantastic going-out-of-business sale for one day only. Both women, perfect strangers, get lost and end up at the same gas station. They strike up small-talk at the pump and voice their frustration at not being able to find the store, even with their devices. A disheveled looking man passed by them and headed towards a nearby convenience store carrying a bag. One woman paid him no attention, got into her car and drove off. The other woman started to do the same thing, but something told her to take another look. When she did, she noticed that the name on his bag was the brand of the store she was trying desperately to find. She interrupted him, and inquired if he knew where the store was. He had just left there, mentioned that it was a madhouse but well worth it, and gave her exact directions. One woman hit the jackpot of all sales, and the other ended up driving around in circles. Why?
The answers for the different outcomes can be as varied as the people who hold them, but the reality boils down to one very important truth. Preparedness will determine the opportunities of which our eyes will see. We often miss what is right in front of us, because mentally, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually we’re not ready to seize the bounty of the blessing. This is true regardless of the type of blessing we’re seeking.
Whether it’s a financial breakthrough, healing, or the blessing of meeting your future spouse, all of us must allow for the truth that blessings often begin in the form of opportunities. Sometimes opportunities are not seen, and sometimes they are unveiled in stages. We live in a ‘want it right now’ society, where patience is almost always kicked to the curb. The problem with this is that we don’t give ourselves the very necessary chance to properly vet. We forfeit discernment for what we believe to be quick pleasure, and boy does this get us into trouble. It’s true that we can be tricked by the enemy this way, but sometimes the thing we perceive as a trick isn’t meant to be. We got tricked because we lacked the spiritual fortitude and vision to see what the Lord wanted us to see, or to learn what we should have learned.
Psalm 34:10(NLT) tells us, “Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.” God doesn’t withhold our blessings. He helps us to prepare for the blessing we seek. We need to pray continually for discernment. It will help us to distinguish a trick from an opportunity that is designed to sharpen the iron of our faith. It will help strengthen us for the breakthrough blessing that’s on its way. If we haven’t grown spiritually in some areas, we won’t recognize this.
If the eyes of all single sisters that desired to be married were suddenly opened spiritually, they would see that there have been multiple opportunities to meet their future spouses before them, and these opportunities were closer than a stone’s throw away all along. They couldn’t recognize them because they’ve never given God the time to sharpen their spiritual vision.
There is absolutely no failure in the faith of Jesus Christ. He said in Mark 11:22-24 (NIV), “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” You and I cannot see the wheels of faith churning. We can’t see it working in the background, but it is producing amazing things! We are commanded by our sweet Lord to trust in the process. Part of doing this is to recognize that things are indeed changing. Old things are dropping off, for that is required in order that new things are introduced.
As old things are released, surrendered, nullified, or terminated, our vision is strengthened, and our minds are forced to think in new ways. This is preparation, but it is the middle of the process. It’s not the time to latch on to what comes our way, but this is exactly what many of us do. We try and make a temporary situation a permanent one, when it was only designed to make us look up and refocus our attention on God. Hebrews 5:14 (NIV) tells us, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Let this wonderful verse be motivation to be more loving to yourself, and take notice of the practice of discernment. Study it! Master it, so that you prepare well for the breakthrough blessing with a permanent status.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Don’t Make a Temporary Situation a Permanent One” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.