Playing Catch With God
How can we play catch with God? Let’s look at three areas where our faith can grow or go - out the window!
The first is through challenges. Through challenges, our faith can increase. It may be hard to know how challenges come to us or who sends them our way, but staying in God’s Word through a challenge is like playing catch with God. He gives us more and more of Himself to get us through difficult times. We learn to see the challenge from God’s perspective which brings the element of wisdom into the mix. Instead of backing away from the challenge we can embrace it knowing God is with us as we journey through.
The second is through distractions. Through distractions, our faith usually decreases. When distractions come, often from the enemy, we can learn his tactics as we seem to move away from God. You may notice that you lose a desire for the things of God when distractions come. We must learn to play dodgeball with the enemy and not catch what he is throwing our way which causes us to be distracted. Distractions move us off the course that God has for us. The quicker we can recognize them the quicker we get back on track.
Here’s an example. A challenge could be studying to pass an exam in a class on a difficult subject. As the deadline approaches you know you need to set aside time to prepare. You make a schedule and prepare to study. The distraction comes when family and or friends invite you to different events during this time and you have a hard time saying no. You know what you need to be doing, but maybe you give in and go.
Now it is test time. You are not prepared and you don’t pass. The real test comes on the other side. If you get angry, it should be at yourself for poor choices. Don’t let anger or disappointment lead to resentment towards anyone involved in this scenario, not you, your family, or your friends. Now, set a plan, stick with it, and prepare for the next test.
A third area where we can get off track is when we take offense, especially during a challenging time in our lives. An offense is a stumbling block, or a cause of temptation, an injury or wrong done to us. An offense can come in the form of words, words that hinder and have the potential to greatly diminish our belief in the Lord. If we choose to take an offense we have stopped playing catch with God and forgot to dodge the ball of the enemy.
It is a spiritual matter that attacks our souls. We are easily upset or become disheartened over the words or actions of others. If we carry this instead of taking it to the cross it can, at the very least, lead to resentment, and at the very worst, cause a root of bitterness to set in.
Let God lead you with His peace. There is a spiritual formula. Love and mercy lead to pure justice and bring perfect peace. Who is that perfect peace? Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He left us His perfect peace.
So, we must endeavor to keep our peace. One way we do this is by recognizing the great gift of Peace and recognizing the enemy’s attempt to steal it with challenges, distractions, or offense. Peace joins other attributes in the list of the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22.
In the book of John 14:1, Jesus says to his disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” We can only not be troubled if we are in peace. He continues in John 14:27. “Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus bequeathed His peace to us because He knew it was vital to living our lives on earth.
This peace of God is tangible, not just a concept, but a reality. It can be continuous. My friend, Dawn Marasco, wrote a book called Continuous Peace, 4 Steps to Living the Life of Peace God Intended. She shares part of her story and what the Word of God says in these 4 steps.
Recognize Obstacles
Release Barriers
Reprogram your Heart and Mind
Respond Faithfully
You can order Dawn’s book at www.dawnmarasco.com
Embrace God and His Word. His perfect peace will uphold you, provide for you, and sustain you!
Until next time, remember, the matter of the heart is the heart of the matter. Stay in perfect peace!
Dr. Michele
September 8, 2024
