I know this couple that was believing to buy a new house. They found one that they really liked, but for some reason, the financing didn’t go through and they got turned down. This happened three different times. Each time, it was something very odd that stopped the whole deal. They had been in their apartment year after year with three children. They were tempted to think, “It’s never going to change. What’s the use of even trying? This is just our lot in life.” But deep down, they knew that it was only temporary. They stayed in faith. Last week, they brought me a picture of their brand new, beautiful home that they just moved into. They said, “Joel, this is God doing more than we could ever ask or think.”
Sometimes in life, you may hit some setbacks, but don’t believe the lies that are telling you, “It’s never going to change. You’re never going to see that breakthrough.” No, every day remind yourself, “It’s only temporary. This is not going to last forever.” In fact, there is a scripture that says, “The things that we see are subject to change.” You may have been turned down a dozen times, but the good news is that it’s all subject to change. God is still on the throne. The next time you apply could be the time it all works out. The next time you resist and don’t give in to that addiction could be the time you break totally free. The next person you meet could be the person of your dreams. Keep believing. It’s not permanent!
It’s interesting that many times in scripture, when Jesus prayed for people, He asked how long they had been in that condition. He said to a crippled man lying at the pool of Bethesda, “How long have you been here?” The man replied, “Thirty-eight years.” Jesus asked a woman who was hunched over how long she had been sick. She replied, “Eighteen years.” Some parents brought their grown son who was blind to Jesus. Jesus asked, “How long has your son been blind?” They said, “Since his birth.” Why was Jesus so interested in the length of time? Why didn’t He just heal them and move on? It’s because Jesus wanted us to see that nothing is permanent. He wanted it to be forever recorded in scripture for all generations to come so that we would know it’s never too late.
You may be facing situations right now that have been the same year after year. It looks like it’s never going to change. God is saying today, “I can still turn it around. I can still bring that dream to pass. I can still bring the right people across your path. I can still heal your body, restore the relationship.” Keep praying, keep standing, keep believing knowing that with God all things are possible, and that trial you are facing is subject to change!
“. . . with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26, NIV)