In the dark times, when life feels unfair, we have to remember that God is still in control and We have the Power to remain in Victory.
In Matthew 24:12, Jesus said this: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” He said this would be a characteristic of the end times. Jesus was saying that the negative things going on around us—not necessarily in us—would cause the love of many to grow cold.
The word “waxed” used in that scripture is really significant. It goes back to the way candles are made. A wick is dipped into hot wax and then taken out and allowed to cool for a few seconds, leaving a thin layer of wax. The process is repeated hundreds of times until the wick is buried deep within the wax.
The same is true with the heart. If we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on the evil of this world and our circumstances, then, little by little, the layers of negativity harden around our hearts, and the love for God and others waxes cold.
So, how do we stay positive in a negative world? Joshua 1:9 Says; Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Here, the Lord was speaking to Joshua, who was taking over for Moses—a hard act to follow. He told Joshua to be strong and of good courage and not to be afraid or dismayed. These are opposing forces. If you are afraid and dismayed, then you are not strong and of good courage. They counteract each other. So, you have to do two things and resist two things.
The Lord doesn’t automatically do these things for you—He flows through you. If you get discouraged or dismayed, You stop the process.
It says in Ephesians 3:20,
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
The phrase “according to” means in proportion to or to the degree of the power that is working in you. God flows through His people. If you become discouraged, you stop the flow of God’s power. God has called you to encourage yourself in the Power of The Holy Spirit that Dwells In You. Believe God at His word and be powerful and encouraged in your New Creation.
Love in His Grace, Pastor Joe Sabolick