For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. – I John 5:4
REFERENCE
I John 5:4
In concluding this series, we will learn from the lives of some bible characters (everyday people with real life issues just like you and I) who had frustrating situations but overcame them.
Firstly, in II Kings 7:3-8 we see the account of four lepers who faced a famine in their land, brought on from a siege by their enemy. The famine was so severe that their only other option was death! (Talk about a dead-end situation laced with the highest form of frustration). However, they refused to accept the status quo, they refused to die in their frustration; rather they summoned courage and decided TO GO to the enemy’s camp. That SINGULAR MOVE turned their frustration into financial fortunes and made them overcomers. Likewise, you must refuse to accept the status quo; stop seeing your situation as a dead-end, rise up from every form of inertia and do something different about your situation. Take a step of faith, and God will amplify that step to give you a testimony.
Secondly, in II Kings 4:1-7 we read the story of the widow whose husband died and left her in debt. At the verge of losing her two sons to the creditor, she sought Elisha’s help. In her case, it was her decision to cry out and not to die in silence that brought her out of the frustrating situation and made her overcome. In the same way, you can’t stay silent in a frustrating situation; cry out for help. Crying out in your case could mean speaking to a marriage counselor about the problems in your marriage, it could mean seeking financial advice from an expert, or talking to a spiritual authority on the issues causing you stress etc., in the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).
Finally, in Mark 10:46-52 we read the account about Blind Bartimaeus who begged for a living because of his blindness. When he heard that Jesus the Healer was passing his way, he cried out for mercy. The people around tried to shut him up because his shouts were probably embarrassing, but he just shouted louder because a closed mouth means a closed destiny. Blind Bartimaeus overcame his blindness, firstly, by ‘hearing’ about Jesus, and secondly, by his persistence. Similarly, don’t ever quit in your quest to get a solution for whatever is frustrating you in life – keep your ears on the ground for a solution. People may tell you it isn’t easy or discourage you from your quest, but be insistent like Blind Bartimaeus till you go from frustration to fulfillment. You cannot conquer what you are comfortable with.
If all these people overcame their frustration, then you also can. Remember, you are born of God, Who has overcome everything in the world. He lives in you, and that makes you more than a conqueror!
SCRIPTURE PHOTO
ADDITIONAL STUDY
Micah 7:7-8
CONFESSION
I refuse to accept my current state as a dead end! I am breaking camp, I am moving forward, I will make that call, start the business, and persist till I see a different outcome. I decree that nothing can stop me because I am born of God; the greater One lives in me, and that makes me an OVERCOMER!
