| Faith is Not Denying Reality |
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| By Rick Warren — May 11, 2015 |
“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18NIV)
Faith is not denying reality. It’s not pretending you don’t have a problem. Faith is not saying, “I’m not in pain” when you are. It’s not saying, “I don’t hurt” when you do. It’s not saying, “I’m happy” when you’re really grieving inside. That’s not faith; it’s phoniness! Faith is facing the facts without being disheartened by them because you know God is greater than the problem.
There is a brand of Christianity today that basically says, “Deny all of your problems. Just have a positive confession. Name it and claim it.” That kind of thinking did not come from Jesus. That’s Pollyanna, and Pollyanna is not exactly a good theologian.
Faith is facing reality without being discouraged by it. You know that God can change a situation. You can build a family on faith, but you can’t build it on fantasy. You can build a business on faith, but not on fantasy. You can build a life on faith, but not on fantasy.
The key is to look beyond your circumstances: “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen [the problem] is temporary, but what is unseen [God’s power] is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV).
If you look at the world, you’re going to be distressed. There are problems everywhere! If you look within, you’re going to be depressed, because there are a lot of things that need changing in your life. But if you look at Jesus Christ, you’ll be at rest. It all depends on where you are focused.
Circumstances are like a mattress: Get on top, and you rest easy. Get underneath, and you suffocate. When you start looking at your problem, you’re sunk. But if you look at Jesus — if you look toward your Deliverer rather than the difficulty — you’ll make it.
Talk It Over
- In what ways have you been building your life on fantasy because you’ve been afraid to face the reality?
- Once you’ve faced the facts of your reality, what do you think God wants you to do?
- What does it mean to focus on Jesus?
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| Today’s Scripture |
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
(Ephesians 4:31, NIV) |
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| Refuse Bitterness |
Bitterness is an extremely destructive force. It seeps into the depths of your heart when you choose not to forgive someone. When you harbor unforgiveness, it closes the door to God’s power working in your life. The Bible even tells us that if we choose not to forgive others, God cannot even hear our prayers. Thank God that He has empowered us to forgive and release bitterness! You can make the choice to get rid of bitterness so you can live in freedom!
You may have been through unfair situations in your life, but it’s not over until God says it’s over. God always has the final say, and He is a God of justice. God sees every wrong that’s ever been done to you. He sees every unfair situation. If you will stay in faith, He’ll bring justice into your life. Your attitude should be, “It may have been unfair. They may have done me wrong, but I refuse to get bitter. I know my time of blessing is coming.”
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| A Prayer Today |
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“Father, today I refuse bitterness. I refuse to allow the past to keep me stuck. Right now I forgive those who have hurt me. I pray blessing on them and pray they would come to know Your truth. Thank You for setting my heart free today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
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