I’ve noticed that in my struggle to overcome sin…I’m helpless. In the thick of battle, through my struggles, I understand now more than ever, I’m powerless to do anything on my own. My soul faints and cries out sometimes, “O-O-h-h what a wretched man I am, when I want to do right, I do wrong. Who can save me from the power of sin, death and even myself that suffocates and ensnares me?” The bible say’s J-E-S-U-S, but it’s more than just knowing the name of who can save us, but it’s experientially receiving the power from on high from the One that saves.
I’ve come to learn in my struggle against the sin in my own life, it’s not always satan that ensnares me. I’ve noticed in my battle against obesity that sometimes I’m my biggest obstacle, sometimes, it’s me standing in my own way, which I have to admit, frustrates the life out of me. Sometimes, in my best efforts, I straight out fail and fall short. Sometimes, when I try my hardest to do the right thing, I automatically do wrong.
There’s a constant war within us, the will to do right and the will to do wrong. In my fight to overcome obesity, there are some habits I still need to break and at times, I’m struggling. I’ve been fasting and praying about those things, but at times, I still stand in my own way of conquering those things. What do you do when it’s YOU standing in your own way of your dreams, visions and goals? What do you do when inwardly your fleshly desires overtake the desires of your heart to do right? The Lord brought me back to the basics of what He taught me years ago, the concept of “Abiding in Him.” Even though I’m overcoming the stronghold of obesity, there’s still some area’s that I need to crucify to help bring me further along. At times, this is the struggle that causes me so much pain, it’s me fighting myself and having the will and power to say NO.
I believe that’s most people’s struggle. If the apostle Paul struggled like this and He was a man full of power and faith, then you know the common man like us are really struggling.
How Do We Overcome Our Struggles To Achieve Our Dreams and Get Out Of Our Own Way?
John 15 (NKJV) say’s
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
How do we abide in Jesus? We simply sit quietly at the Lord’s feet and receive. There’s power sitting at the Lord’s feet. There’s healing sitting in quietness, in the stillness of His presence. There’s a refreshing sitting in His quietness. There’s direction and answers in the quietness of His presence. That’s our power source, that’s my power source. Life doesn’t afford us time to quiet ourselves, life doesn’t afford me time, but in my fight to overcome and achieve my dreams, I have to make the time.
I’ve noticed that sometimes in devotion, I’m too busy. I’m busy getting my readings done, reading this or that, praying about this or that and all of that’s fine in it’s place, but what Christ is teaching me recently is to simply sit down and be quiet…just that simple. Sit down, be quiet and receive the things I really need from the Lord. In devotion, my soul started to feel dry. Why? It wasn’t until one day I was too tired to do anything so I just sat there…wow…I could feel the Lord just renewing, healing and refreshing me. That’s something, you could be doing all the right things, praying, fasting and going into devotion daily and still feel dry, broken and empty, your soul severely malnourished. He’s wants to give us more, more power, more direction, more anointing but first, we have to sit at His feet.
Luke 10 (NLT)
39…Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
As God is encouraging me, I want to encourage you, let’s commit to sitting at the Lord’s feet daily in quietness and stillness. If were fighting to overcome and need more power, we’ll find it there. If there’s a dream we’re chasing after, we’ll find it there too. No matter what your circumstance is, for our own survival, by any means necessary, let’s give him space and time, whether it’s just a moment, minutes or even hours, let’s resolve to let Jesus pour into us. He desires to meet us in that quiet place…let’s go there together and be empowered to overcome to achieve our greatest dreams. He’s Waiting.
As always, Be Encouraged, Stay Connected, Fight and Let’s Become Free Together.
William McDowell- Closer/Wrap Me In Your Arms feat. Blanca from Group 1 Crew
In His Name,
Ke’Shawn Adamson
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