Anything under God’s control is never out of control. ~Charles Swindoll
When someone asks how you’re doing, do you usually say, “I’m fine, considering the circumstances”?
Are you so absorbed in what is going on around you that you forget what is going on inside of you? It’s easy to do, I admit, but there is always another way to see things: through the eyes of Jesus. You see, Jesus defeated every possible problem or circumstance you could face.
When He did that? When he faced satan on his own turf! The Bible cheerfully explains that Jesus principalities and powers despoiled, [making] a show of them openly, triumphing over them (Col. 2:15). Plundered means that He ravaged, plundered, looted, ugly wasteland and stripped them of the power of it. In Christ, we have access by faith to that same power to strip away the circumstances of our own lives. Therefore it is by faith, that it may be by grace, that the promise may be sure to all the seed… (Romans 4:16).
Where He did it? On the cross and to the depths of hell. Surrounded by all demonic power and evil intentions, He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our sins and iniquities, the punishment [needful to obtain] peace and well-being were upon him, and with the sores [that wounded] In him we are healed and made whole. (Isaiah 53:5 AMPC). Jesus took every evil deed on himself, and he won! Your peace, well-being, wholeness and victory over all circumstances were taken care of forever by the toughest guy in heaven and earth.
How He did it? God transferred the punishment for every guilt, every sin, and every bad thing anyone has done or will do onto Jesus. In the Old Testament, sheep, goats, birds, and other animals were the substitute sacrifices for the sins of the Israelites. In the New Testament, Jesus was the scapegoat, the sacrificial Lamb. Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
If you have ever read or heard about how the English monarchy raised their royal children, you have heard of a whipped child. A young boy was assigned as a substitute to receive whatever punishment the prince deserved. In the same way, Jesus took the punishment due humanity and satisfied royal justice forever.
why He did it? To give you the victory (I Corinthians 15:17) and to prove that is born of God overcomes the world (I John 5:4) Satan’s goal is to make things difficult so that you are too busy worrying about the outcome to be a threat to his kingdom. TThe thief does not come to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). Jesus said. “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full! The Amplified Classic Edition confirms that Jesus came so you may to have and enjoy life, and to have it in abundance (to the brim, until it overflows).
above not below
Jesus was never ‘under the circumstances’ and he doesn’t want you to be there either. When Jesus appeared to his followers after his resurrection, He He spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, then… (Matthew 28:18-19). He ended that speech by saying, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the world.” (verse 20). In other words, you have everything you need, all the blessing, power and protection to overcome every circumstance.
Consider this insight from Jesus’ own lips: I have told you these things so that in me you may have [perfect] confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and anguish and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! Because I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33 AMPC).
Think of Abraham. God promised her a son, but he couldn’t see past her own age and Sarah’s barrenness. The circumstances did not look good. After fifteen years of doubting the faith and being childless, God told him to stop looking at his own situation. Look up to the sky and count the stars, if you can count them (Gen. 15:5). In other words, God has more ways to change your circumstances than you can even count! Sure enough, Abraham and Sarah had a sound; then, after his death, Abraham has six more children with his second wife. Abraham came out of his restricting circumstances by considering God’s promise.
Consider Jesus…
When the going gets tough, we have to do what Abraham did. Paul explained that Abraham stopped considering his body and Sarah’s. on the other hand the did not doubt the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:19-20). He clung to hope. He built his faith in the Word of God until he knew that he knew it would happen, and it did!
God wants you to trust Him so much that you feel that Jesus is your Advocate. Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith. In other words, if you can find the promise (the author), you can have the result (the finished work)! Consider these words from Hebrews 3: Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to him who instituted him… as a Son over His own house, which house we are if we cling to fast the confidence and joy of hope, firm to the end (verses 1-2, 6).
No matter what kind of difficult times you are facing or what circumstances you think you find yourself in, Jesus has the solution. In reality, He has more than enough of what you need so that no matter what people, the world, or your circumstances do, He can. lead you to rich fulfillment and harm your growth (Ps. 66:12).
Consider His Word
God gave you his divine promises so that you can grab onto them and not let go. He then appointed Jesus as the High Priest upon his confession. If you speak the Word and believe the Word, you can have victory! (See Mark 11:23-24)
When the going gets tough, the first place to turn is Psalms. Consider these verses instead of your problems: Trust in the LORD and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and indeed you will be fed. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart… Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him; don’t worry… (verses 3-4, 7).
God does not want you to be burdened with problems, anxieties, worries and concerns. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:4-5). Faith regards the Word as final authority, declaring on every problem, “It is finished,” along with Jesus.
The companion to that verse is found in First Peter, where God tells you to cast all your worries on Him because He cares about you. The Amplified Bible says that God cares for you lovingly and cares for you attentively (v.5:7). When the going gets tough, He wants you to run to Him like a child runs to his parents. Maintain that childlike confidence by putting your faith and destiny in his hands, relying on his promises of victory and deliverance.
put your faith to work
“And he who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is chaff to wheat?” says the LORD (Jeremiah 23:28). The tares, the chaff in your life, have no power over the spoken Word of God. The wheat ignores the tares. It just grows and ripens for the harvest.
Let us hold firm to the profession of our hope without wavering, because faithful is he who promised (Hebrews 10:23). When the going gets tough, apply spiritual pressure to your circumstances. Consider Jesus and all that He has done for you. Confess God’s promises over your life. Jesus, your Advocate and the ‘High Priest of your confession’, will see to it that what you say becomes what you see. Consider Jesus.