Do You Know Jesus?

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.” 1 John 4:4-5(ESV)

Our phone kept ringing with creditors waiting on the other side. Some willing to work out an agreement, others not so merciful. This was our life three years ago, we owed the mortgage, the car note, utilities, and credit cards. I was unemployed and my husband worked two temp jobs. It was the most stressful season of my life. We just couldn’t keep up with our bills. As much as we tried paying whatever we owed, we kept falling further behind.

Then, one day, I received a phone call from the bank that financed our Chevy Traverse. Much like the others, the woman on the line was looking for some sort of payment. But, of all the creditors, she is the one I will never forget. I explained our financial situation and my inability to pay in that moment; and she said something that put things into perspective for me. She said, “You need to make a payment today or we will take the car. Do you understand? This is dire!”

Dire? As in disastrous, unspeakable, dreadful, distressing; all synonyms for “dire”? As soon as I heard that, I politely thanked her for her time, apologized, & hung up. Now, I was still a fairly new believer then; but I knew this much – getting my car repossessed is definitely not good & we didn’t intentionally stop paying, but it’s certainly not dire! It’s not life or death. We’re all going to have “wilderness” seasons in which hell is breaking out around us & our faith will be tested! But do we know Jesus? Do we know that there is only One who delivers, who’s mighty to save, and that through Him we overcome? Because, if we don’t, that truly is dire.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for a new day and new week. I am so grateful for Your Word. Thank You that Romans 8:28 says all things work together for my good because I love You and I am called according to Your purpose even when things don’t look good, even when things don’t feel good. You said they are always working out for my good. Holy Spirit, teach me in my trials to strengthen my faith because God is my Deliverer and Sovereign Superhero. There’s nobody like You, Lord! Thank You for saving me and living on the inside of me. No matter what comes my way, I look to You and give You all the glory, honor, and praise in Jesus’ name! Amen.

Weekly Wisdom Challenge: It’s not that wise women don’t go through struggles and faith challenges. In fact, John 16:33 tells us we will have trouble. But wise women know that the troubles we endure will not kill us because He has overcome, and God has already given us the victory through Christ Jesus. So, our fight is not from a position of “will win,” rather a stance of “have won.” So, I challenge you, in whatever trial you’re going through, to change your fight status to “already won.” And, say it out loud all throughout each day regardless of what you see (or don’t see). Praise God for the win!