YOUR PLACE OF PAIN IS YOUR PLACE OF REIGN:

Psalm 33:10-11 says: The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

 Recently, I met a lady who became a consultant in Early Childhood Development because of her experiences growing up at the hands of abusive maids, relatives, neighbors and absent career parents. Her place of pain became her place of reign!

While chatting with her, I remembered a young man who is living the life of a victim because of his unfortunate past. He was, also, brought up in an abusive environment. He has unfortunately become mentally and emotionally handicapped. He keeps lamenting about how he does not have this or the other and how he cannot do this or the other because of what happened to him in the past.

I wonder, what made Caleb and Joshua stand out among the Hebrew leaders of their generation? Twelve leaders were sent out to spy on the land that the Lord had promised to them.  They all saw the same possibilities and challenges. However, ten of these leaders focused more on the negative circumstances, than the God whose plans stand forever and they were overwhelmed.

Caleb and Joshua on the other hand, chose to focus on possibilities based on God’s power, promises and His plans that can never be thwarted.  They wanted to see their place of pain – life in the wilderness and the enemy nations that surrounded them – end, so they could reign in the land that flowed with milk and honey.

It always fascinates me how it is not what we go through that determines what we become, but our attitudes towards what we got through. In my work with young people, I am realizing that we need to equip generations with the truth about life and God’s dealings with people and circumstances.

We need to stop looking at God

From our circumstances

And start looking at our circumstances

From God’s perspective!

God never promised that we would not experience negative circumstances, but He promised to work with all circumstances of our lives to fulfill His eternal plans for us, which are always good – to make us reign in life. ()

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 The devil is a destiny thief, and he should be watched closely. He uses discouragement, intimidation and manipulation to distract and derail us so that we don’t focus on the possibilities to reign through God’s eyes.

We are destined to reign no matter what our past or present circumstances are.

Our past or present place of pain

Can become our future place of reign

We have a choice – chose to reign!