Discovering the Power of God’s Promises: A 6-Day Devotional Plan for the New SeasonSample

DAY FOUR – LIFE

If we want to be prepared for our next season spiritually, then we must remove the poison of doubt, fear and disappointment from our thoughts and words.

I discovered this a few years ago when I was walking through a challenging season, and each of those three nemeses had taken root in my heart. I didn’t know what to do and couldn’t see a way out, which left me in a position of trusting at a new level. To say I was a little afraid is like saying it periodically rains in England.

One day I was challenged by a friend to take a leap of faith and believe the Bible actually meant what it said – shocker! That day I decided to fully trust the Word of God over my circumstances, change the fear-filled words coming out of my mouth into faith-filled declarations coming out of my heart and choose to believe that God knows in his wisdom what I may never understand in my humanity. Those three decisions affected the course of my future, and I will forever be grateful for a loving friend who drew me away from my flesh and nudged me gently towards faith. I learned that it’s impossible for damaging thoughts and life-giving vocabulary to remain friends for very long: one of them must go.

There are various destructive thought patterns which poison the soil of our hearts, but I believe unforgiveness is one of the most damaging. We cannot carry an unforgiving heart into an upgraded calling and yet remain in peace.

At its most basic, forgiveness is not justifying the sin or excusing the behaviour, it is setting ourselves free. (There are numerous verses on forgiveness, but here are a few for further study if you wish: Matt. 11:25; Matt. 6:14–15; Eph. 4:26–27, 32; Col. 3:12–13; 2 Cor. 2:10–11; Matt. 18:21–22.)

In summary, never let fear or disappointment have the final word. If your dream seems impossible, be encouraged by the lives of others:

Feel too old? Study Abraham.

Too young? Read about David.

Lack skills? Perhaps a review of Moses’ life will help.

Need resources? I imagine a little boy who sacrificed his lunch could give some pointers.

The Bible removes any excuse because it shows ordinary men and women doing the extraordinary, by faith.

Reflect: Is there anyone in your life that you still need to forgive?

If you could spend an hour with one Bible character, who would you choose?