The Final Pieces are Coming into Place. Don't Give Up! by Gretchen Rodriguez - Identity Network
Imagine if today were the day you received that breakthrough you've been praying for.
Go ahead - imagine.
Close your eyes and picture what it would be like. How would you react? Would you celebrate? Would you cry in relief? What would it feel like to finally have the answer to that prayer for finances, health, family, ministry...? The list is endless, but deeply personal to the one who's been believing God for a resolution.
Did you allow your imagination to take you to that moment, or did you scoff? So many of us have been believing God for things that feel as though they are never going to happen. Just because it hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't happen. I understand what it's like to be afraid of stirring your hope; to believe again.
But giving up is definitely not the answer! As my pastor, Bill Johnson, says, "Your greatest breakthrough is on the other side of adversity." The greater the opposition to the breakthrough, the sweeter it will be once it happens. The Lord is inviting you to release doubt and disappointment, and allow hope and faith to flood your being.
But giving up is definitely not the answer! As my pastor, Bill Johnson, says, "Your greatest breakthrough is on the other side of adversity." The greater the opposition to the breakthrough, the sweeter it will be once it happens. The Lord is inviting you to release doubt and disappointment, and allow hope and faith to flood your being.
Anything is Possible
I'm here to encourage you today that anything is possible with God!
This year (2015) Yom Kippur (a Jewish time of repentance) coincided with the Year of Jubilee (which happens once every 50 years). Jubilee was a time of celebration when debts were forgiven, slaves set free, and all land was restored to its original owner, whether it was stolen, sold, etc. Before I knew anything about it being Jubilee, my spirit was jumping with excitement. The Lord spoke to me and told me to get excited, because He was bringing surprises. I knew it wasn't only for me, but for the Body of Christ! He told me to stop looking at the circumstances and start anticipating the answer - to start thanking Him in advance. He told me that it would be even better than we've been imagining. This is our time of Jubilee! If you feel hopeless, the Lord wants to breathe hope within you. Just ask Him!
Focus
Right now everything may feel like it's being shaken and sifted, but don't let it scare you. It's just those final pieces coming into place - it is the enemy being crushed beneath the core of your faith. Keep your eyes focused on Him. Refuse to allow these last attempts to scare you out of faith and knock you off course. I see the Lord holding your face between His strong, yet gentle hands, and looking intently in your eyes. He's saying, "Focus on Me. I've got this."
What did it feel like when you imagined your breakthrough? Pretty good, I bet! The Lord wants you to start celebrating in advance, especially on the days when opposition is screaming in your face. I also want to encourage you to ask the Lord for Wisdom. Many will be receiving breakthroughs that are much bigger than anticipated, and in order to navigate them well, you must have God's Wisdom.
This is our time! Let's celebrate!
"No matter what, I'll trust in You to help me. Nothing will stop me from praising You more and more!" Psalm 71:14 The Passion Translation
Gretchen Rodriguez
