Get up.

When things don’t look too good and it seems everything goes wrong recently, what do you do? Do you get depressed, doubt that there is any blessing in there for you? Well, get your attitude straight and get some perspective.

First off, you are in danger, my friend and I say this for 2 reasons:

1. Doubt
2. Being ungrateful

I will talk about the first in this article to make it easier to digest so you can chew on one thing at a time =)

Doubt is a dangerous mindset that will only work against you. First of all, when you doubt, you are questioning God’s power and his promises. Second, you open the door for Satan to tempt you and to deceive you.

The outcome of trust vs doubt is displayed in Luke 1. Two different people with different circumstances get the opportunity to accept or receive a blessing, believe and be of service to God. The first one is Zechariah. The angel Gabriel appeared to him with the great news that his wife Elizabeth will have a child at her old age. The natural circumstances would lead us to believe that biologically and after pulling the statistic, there is no chance this woman would ever have a child. But God can do anything! Zechariah instead responded with doubt!

“Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” (Luke 1:18)

The different bible versions say it slightly different but the fact stays the same – Luke dared to question the Lord’s word! He did not say “how is this possible” (like Mary did) but “how can I be sure what you just said will actually happen”.
Now the Lord’s response is interesting – he puts Luke on mute until the baby is born. No more talking and I find this amazing, wonderful and somewhat funny! The Lord knows us so very well that he knows our weaknesses. If Luke had been able to speak any further, he might have said more things he would later regret. Now his tongue would be in control for a while…

Mary instead, responded to the message that she would conceive a child as a virgin with faithfulness, thankfulness and being ready for God’s service:

“Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

“The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. (Luke 1:34-38)

She also asked a question but not quite the same as Zechariah did. Mary did not question whether the Lord’s promise would be kept and come true but voicing her lack of understanding how he can perform such a miracle, not that he will actually do it.

So, looking at your own situation now – what reason would you have to doubt? You serve a God that created the heavens and the earth and everything in it, including you! That alone is a gazillion miracles right there. The one that makes everything possible should not be able to interfere in your life and help you? Second, he loves you. So much so that he sent his one and only, holy, perfect son to die so we may live (don’t take my word for it – go check it out in John 3:16…go! I can wait…this text will be here when you return). Further, he has a perfect plan for all of us – that includes you!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Now lift your head, thank God, worship him and stay strong! He will guide you trough this season if you love him with all your heart and seek his will in all you do (Proverbs 3: 5-7)!

Enough for now. Be blessed!