Years later, when I got a divorce, I felt like a failure again. I had done everything I could possibly do, yet my marriage ended in a divorce. I had stood in faith for the restoration of my marriage; I had fasted and prayed for my husband’s deliverance-yet my hopes were deferred, and my heart was sick! I had to press past the feelings of failure.
I focused instead on the longing that had been fulfilled by the birth of my daughter. I had always wanted a little girl with long, blonde hair and big, blue eyes, and that’s just what the Lord gave me. Though hope deferred makes the heart sick, all the longings fulfilled in our lives are trees of life.
Simply use what you have, then trust the Lord. Jesus taught us this principle in Matthew 14:19-21.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:19-21)
First, Jesus took what He had-but that’s where most people quit. They look at their resources and get depressed and discouraged, feel sorry for themselves, or try to manipulate others to give them resources. Just take what you have.
Second, Jesus looked up to heaven. Don’t look down; look up and hold your head up. This is where faith and trust come in.
Third, Jesus gave thanks. Thank God for what you have. Stop complaining about what you don’t have and start praising God for what you do have. A grateful, thankful heart is always a forerunner for increased blessing. If you aren’t thankful for what you have, why would God give you more?
Fourth, Jesus took a step of faith. Although He had only five loaves of bread and two fish, He started giving out what He had. When we take a step of faith and just start doing what we know we should do, provision will always be there.
Yet, often, people don’t do great things for God because they keep looking at what they don’t have. “We don’t have the money.” Well, God owns it all. “We don’t have the workers we need.” Well, you and God are the majority, so don’t let a lack of workers stop you. “We don’t have the time.” Well, what are your priorities? Are you a good steward of your time?
Father wants you just to take what you have, look to Him, give thanks, and then take a step of faith as you walk in obedience. Don’t despise small beginnings (see Zechariah 4:10). Don’t become overwhelmed by the immensity of the task. Don’t let the small size of your resources, the large size of your storm, the depth of your pit, or the gravity of your perceived mistakes hold you back. Father has an assignment with your name on it for His glory!
D
