Living above your circumstances
“Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and through us makes known the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
You already have the victory in whatever battle you are in right now. The way to get that victory show up in reality is in giving thanks to God. What I am talking about is setting time aside each day to be thankful to Him for your life and the place you are right now. Even if you are not where you ultimately want to be, you can still be thankful that your Heavenly Father is with you, right where you are, today. Your thankful heart has the power to give you a life above your current circumstances.
Daniel is a great example of living above his circumstances. As I wrote earlier, he was taken away from his home and forced to work for the king of a foreign land. He maintained his godly attitude and didn’t allow his captivity to lead him to rebellion. In fact, he served many kings in that land and found favor with all of them because of his heart for God. He never tried to escape and return to his own home. He remained faithful where he was and God blessed him there. The main reason for all this was his relationship with God. Daniel 6:10 says, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” Daniel had a consistent time he spent with God every day. Actually, it was three times each day that he set aside to focus on God and talk with him. But the most amazing part about it was that he was thankful. How far a thankful heart goes. Daniel didn’t get on his knees and beg God to change his circumstances. He was thankful right in the middle of his circumstances. As a result, he had victory in every area of his life no matter what came against him.
This really speaks to me and encourages me. If I knew for sure that getting before God each day and being thankful would assure my victory in every area of life, why wouldn’t I do it? But the best news is that according to today’s verse in 2 Corinthians, in Christ Jesus, we always have the victory. This verse tells me that I am assured the victory in every situation, over every circumstance as long as I put it in the hands of my Savior. I need to give it all to Him and be thankful; thankful that He is handling it and thankful that He is making it better no matter what the dilemma is. I don’t need to tell Him how to fix the problems or how bad things are, he already knows what I am dealing with. I don’t even have to tell Him about it three times a day, but the verse says: Now thanks be to God, not maybe later, right now and always I need to keep my relationship with Him a priority and be thankful!
Today I want to encourage you to give thanks to God, who always gives you the victory in Christ Jesus. Believe His Word and set time aside to spend thanking Him for the victory that is coming your way. Then watch as He completely turns things around and brings you out on top. Don’t get bogged down by your circumstances, live above them by giving them to God and giving Him thanks for the victory He replaces your problems with!!
Today’s scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
The Daily Dose 