I enjoy the art of storytelling. My dad enjoyed making up bedtime stories to tell my children. Storytelling is a great teaching and learning tool. A good storyline creates an emotional connection and we tend to pay closer attention to what’s being said.
Here’s my latest story~
So the day I’d been waiting for and praying about finally arrived. Yesterday morning I had a surgical procedure called Myringotomy and Tympanostomy. Also known as ‘getting tubes put into the ears.’ Hopefully this will cure my 5 year battle with vertigo.
Before the procedure, the doctor asked me to repeat to him my understanding of what he was about to do. So I said, ‘you are going to enter my ear canal, make a slit into my right eardrum, place a tube into the opening and then I will never have vertigo again!’
Surprised by my answer, his eyes widened and with a big grin he said, ‘that’s good…95% of all surgical recovery is having a positive attitude. It’s excellent that you are so positive about the results even before I do anything. Research shows us that patients with positive attitudes heal much quicker and have less post surgical trauma and pain.’
Isn’t that just so true of our emotional hurts and pains? We need to keep a positive attitude about the spiritual surgery being done by the Great Physician! Trusting Him for the pain He is allowing us to feel today, so that we will be healed and stronger because of it, for our tomorrows~
My faith and desire for good results with this surgical procedure allowed me to project a positive attitude about the results. Do you suppose God expects us to have the same faith and attitude in His ability to heal our hearts; fix a financial problem; provide us with good living accommodations or a job; fix a broken relationship; or give us freedom from chemical addictions… etc?
In the book of John, Jesus tells us that He expects us to have faith in His Father and the miracles we’ve seen Jesus do isn’t a fraction of what’s to come; and even more so, Jesus says we are capable of doing incredibly and awesome things in His name. (John 14:12-14)
To gain a better understanding of exactly what Jesus was referring to when He said we’ll be capable of doing ‘even greater works’ I researched the scripture references. I think you’ll see a pattern.
Luke 10:17 ‘When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!’ Mark 16:17 ‘These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages.’ Mark 9:38 ‘…Teacher, we saw a man using your name to cast out demons, …’ Numbers 11:27-29 ‘A young man ran and reported to Moses, …But Moses replied, …I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his Spirit upon them all!’
If you’ve never taken the time to follow scripture references, I encourage you to try it. Your time will not be wasted and your faith will be strengthened by your discoveries. It’s like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. Each reference leads you to a broader understanding of the verse.
The 5th piece of the puzzle got me very excited because this reference directly relates to a single women’s Bible study we are doing this summer. Numbers 11:25b; ‘…They prophesied as the Spirit rested upon them…’ We are reading RT Kendall’s book, Total Forgiveness. The author instructs us that when we do not totally forgive someone for what they’ve done to us, our actions (or lack of) grieves the Holy Spirit.
I don’t know about you but I want God in my corner. I’ve developed a healthy fear of God and I definitely want the Holy Spirit intervening on my behalf when I don’t know how to pray.
It’s like when my husband and I are at odds with each other and I need him to help me with something. But, in order to ask him for help, I will first need to eat a big piece of humble pie. And sometimes my (Irish) pride gets the best of me and I’d rather hold onto my mad. You know the storyline…I end up doing it my way until my failed attempts force me to swallow my pride and ask him to fix what I’ve now made worse in my attempts to fly solo. He never once says, ‘I told you so.’ Even though he must be thinking it!
So let me ask you, have you checked your attitude today? Do you look at the glass and say it’s half full or half empty? Are you at odds with God because you’re sitting in negativity? Do you wonder why God hasn’t answered your prayers?
When I was a college student, like most, I frequently called home asking for more money. My dad must have gotten tired of the money calls because during one conversation he said to me, ‘Nancy, why don’t you call mom and I twice; once to say hello and then call back and ask for money.’
Do you need to practice the art of calling home twice too? God will never force your hand. But He is always home and He will always answer your call.
Let’s pray. Father, we can always trust You to never change. Your attitude concerning our welfare is always positive. You always want the best for us even when our best faith falls short. You tell us that 3 things will endure – faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love. We thank You for pursuing us and loving us first. Help us with our attitudes. Remind us to count our blessings and to have a positive attitude about our situations before You even pick up the scalpel. In Jesus’ strong name we pray. Amen.
Until next time~
Blessings, Nancy
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