SEARCHLIGHT
How do life’s circumstances influence your life?
SCRIPTURE
On the 21st day, of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, “Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua, son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you.’ declares the Lord Almighty. This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” Haggai 2:1-5 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Can you recall somebody being asked, “How are you?” The other person answered, “Well under the circumstances, I am doing pretty good.” Why is that person living under the circumstances when he/she could be living above them? Rising above your circumstances is God’s intention for your life.
David and Becky Quinn were former missionaries in Ukraine. Unexpected circumstances suddenly raised their ugly heads. The Quinn’s lives drastically changed due to an illness that led to Becky’s arms and legs having to be amputated. Ten months later they wrote, “When a person is asked, “How are you doing?”, some might respond, “Under the circumstances, I am doing okay.” But it is our desire and our goal to live “above the circumstances.” We don’t want to let our circumstances become an excuse to accept feelings of depression to be normal, or to settle into a lifestyle of less than God intended for us to have. We are committed to keeping our focus on God and not circumstances.”
“Under the circumstances”, is a phrase that describes the conditions and events that surround you are not being controlled by you, but by the circumstances. Life does not have to be lived this way. You can rise above the circumstances. What you need to do is realize who is for you, and who is with you. Your actions, decisions, and outcomes do not have to be determined by the circumstances. How you respond to the circumstances is key. What your perspective is regarding your changing conditions is very significant. Will you live under the circumstances, or will you rise above the circumstances?
When the Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem, they began to rebuild the temple with great enthusiasm. However, circumstances involving political problems arose. This brought the project to a halt. The difficulties led to pessimism about whether the project was worthwhile. They began to question how their rebuilding of the temple would ever compare to the original temple that Solomon had built. As a result, the Jewish people began to focus more on building their own homes, rather than God’s house.
Circumstances cannot be avoided in life. They impact everyone. For most of us, when the circumstances are good, and things are going well, it is not too difficult to have joy and peace. However, when the air conditioner breaks and the washer and dryer break two days later, most of us lose the joy and peace that we once had. If you are going to do life well, you are going to have to learn to rise above your circumstances.
Circumstances can change your outlook in a split second. One moment you can be singing, and the next moment, you can be crying. Suddenly, you hear news about someone in your family who is in trouble. Your outlook completely changes. No longer are you happy, now fear and worry begin to set in.
Can you recall when circumstances turned a sunny day into a dark night? A peaceful moment quickly became a gigantic storm because of changing conditions or events. Why did you let worry, discouragement, or depression into your spirit? Yes, the incidents and accidents altered your life, but certain truths did not change. If you had remembered those truths, they would have kept you productive and going ahead.
The Jewish exiles were living “under their circumstances.” In today’s Scripture focus, we read about their situation. Two leaders in Jerusalem began to challenge them not to live that way. They reminded them that God had not left them but was still with them. Their circumstances had changed but God was still the same and still present. Circumstances had not changed God from equipping them to accomplish great feats.
Circumstances cannot stop you enjoying and being empowered by God’s presence. Neither can they stop you from receiving the favor and blessing of God. God is not affected by incidents or accidents. Regardless of the situation, He can help you, strengthen you and care for you.
God is with you because God’s Holy Spirit infuses you. What you must do is to put first things first. You need to abide in the presence of God. Realize that God’s unwavering help comes to you as you allow His anointing to fall upon you.
The magnitude of what you can accomplish is not just due to your ability or strength, but due to God’s presence and help. Your achievements will greatly exceed your expectations when you live your life knowing that God is with you and empowering you. Direct your strength to a task, but begin by continually drawing strength from God.
Are you living under the circumstances, or are you living above them? True power lies in how you respond to your circumstances. The power of circumstances describes how external things can influence you, your perspective, behavior, and relationships. Yes, circumstances are powerful. However, God is more powerful! God’s power is internal and describes how He can influence you. The outcome of your external situation can be determined by your Heavenly Father. Remember what the leaders reminded the Jewish exiles. God is with you! God is for you! God infuses you!
Circumstances are often beyond your control. People say, “Things are out of control.” Conditions can change, making a situation seem insurmountable. However, you have control over your responses. What do you believe about what is going on? Who is in charge? Your God is still in control, and you are His child.
Live by God’s divine perspective! Live in God’s presence! Rise above your circumstances. Allow God to control your thinking and empower you with His strength. Determine to live by Godly values rather than the circumstances that are dictating what should be.
SOMETHING TO DO
Do not let your circumstances break you. Take 3 steps to living above your circumstances:
#1. Acknowledge your circumstances.
#2. Confess that God is greater.
#3. Challenge negative thinking by quoting Scripture and praying.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Thank you, Heavenly Father, that You are with me, for me and infuse me with the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you that I do not have to live under my circumstances but can rise above them through You. AMEN!