How do you smile while turmoil is literally staring at you....and you know good and well you're experienced and spiritually mature enough to do it....but you can't seem to muster one out? How do you turn off those alarms of panic in your head? How do you fight the fight of faith that so many seem to let it roll off of their tongue like it's the easiest thing to do? I mean, don't you hate it when you go to that person that's ultra-holy who swore to hold you up in tough times; only for them to quickly blurt out "I'm praying for you"? Maybe prayer is what you need, but is it wrong to think that you need something more?
I don't think it is. As a matter of fact James 2:15-16 talks about how ineffective it is to wish someone well (including through prayer) and not attempt to meet the needs that that someone has presented you with. So I believe it's reasonable in times of distress to not only need prayer, but need something that will make relief, deliverance, and faith tangible. And consider yourself blessed, because you've already defeated the problem...you just have to come to realize that you have.
Reacting to a problem is not nearly as productive as preparing for one. The general thought is that it's virtually impossible to prepare for every issue....and I believe there are gaps in that logic. Depending on the view we have of preparation, every single encounter we have and will face has already been handled by Jesus (Hebrews 4:15). With this in mind, those things we believe we've got a handle on...as well as the things we don't...should be referred to Christ, our Strength. If we are prepared in just this basic revelation, then it allows for us to better deal with the perception of a problem.
It also leads us to a more authentic belief. Then, and really only then, can we believe we are more than conquerors in each circumstance (Romans 8:37). See, we sometimes view the smiles of the downtrodden as fake emotional poses. But the truth is those smiles during bad times aren't based on emotion at all, they're based off the genuine, confirmed proof of Jesus' teachings. It comes from a personal decision to accept what Christ did and said is exclusively for them, and they are assuming rightful ownership of joy. It all boils down to this: when did you make a decision to believe? And when you did, did you decide to believe all of it? Or do you even know what "all of it" is? If you cannot confidently answer yes to these questions, it's a good sign you haven't been diligent in establishing what you believe concerning Jesus being all about you. That, my friend, is why you can't smile when it's bad...and mean it. You aren't protecting your joy, you're only reacting when it's threatened.
We wait for a crisis to establish our belief, but we must be the ones to prove it's accuracy well before a crisis happens. We forego the practical steps to build tangible faith...such as daily Bible readings and periods of meditation afterwards. Some of us assume that the time in our schedules doesn't allow for such actions. What's funny is that we find that time when the pressure is on; and the fact is we just aren't securing our godly defenses because what's not immediately seen isn't immediately important. But we're not fighting against jobs or bills or broken relationships anyway, we deal with the spirits influencing them. And so while being prayerful, you must be practical. You must develop a regimen of devotion to God each day. You must prepare for adverse situations by realizing you already have everything you need to surpass them. You must be passionate in prayer, service, and giving even (and especially) when all is appearing to go good with you. Besides, no one and no thing can convince you of who you are and the power you have. You've got to be the one to claim that for yourself. Have you claimed yours, or are you just fakin' to hold back tears?
Be confident...but first, find out why you can be.
Peace
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