Ephesians 1:18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
For many Christians it is true that at some point in their lives they had a pretty clear cut understanding of the Lord. They knew Him intimately and could see Him clearly through the window of their heart. Then the event happened that distorted that clear image: an unanswered prayer that left them devastated, the death of a loved one, a dear John letter left on the kitchen table, a negative report from the doctor or the termination of a job.
These blind-side hits can be the most devastating. We've all had events in our lives that impacted us in terrible ways. The good news in all of this is that the Lord didn't fall off the throne that day and that He's always there for us in good times and in bad.
These "events" that I've referred to can be viewed as stones. They take on different shapes and sizes, but when thrown at a window the result is always the same: shattered. This is the condition that many Believers find themselves caught in today. They are constantly looking at life through the window of experience that has been shattered by an incoming stone hurled by the devil himself.
The foundation verse I used at the top of this article is part of a prayer that the Apostle Paul was praying for the Ephesian church. He recognized, by the Holy Spirit, that the Ephesians needed the eyes of their understanding enlightened. It's amazing how the enemy puts blindfolds on Believer's eyes and hampers their clear sight! Remember, it's the devil -- not God -- who is distorting the Christian's view of life.
The first thing we must realize is that God is a God of victory. He wants you to win! There's not a person alive who has not suffered some type of set-back. The difference is how you deal with the apparent defeat. I say apparent, because it's not over until we win. We don't play nine inning games, we play until we win!
II Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
We live in a world where the devil attacks those of us who are living for the Lord. He hates us because we are ambassadors of the Lord in the earth and pose the greatest threat to all of his endeavors. Well, realize that God is not the source of the pain you've gone through, and He didn't have some purpose for you going through that trial! The devil was the one who threw that stone at the window of your heart.
All of us need to learn from our mistakes and vow not to repeat them again. Here are some simple steps for you to recover from a distorted, hurt view of life.
1. Don't blame God. (John 10:10)
Jesus came to give life, not steal, kill or destroy!
2. Pray for wisdom about the situation. (James 1:5)
The Lord will give you the wisdom you need exactly as it pertains to your life.
3. Take authority over the devil. (Mark 16:17; James 4:7)
As a Believer in Jesus Christ, you have authority - in Christ's name - over the devil. Use it!!
We must see the Lord through the window of revelation in the Word! This is one window that is shatterproof! It will stand the test of time and always remain the same. Make a vow today that you'll not look at God through the window of human experience ever again. We cannot let experience in life be the author and finisher of our faith. That role belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to Him alone. We must know God through His Word that He's given to us, and in turn take that Word and use it to overcome every obstacle that the devil hurls in front of us.
A copy of the audio tape entitled, "Overcoming A Distorted View,"
is available upon request.
by Pastor Dan Yankunas
