We always here the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover". This saying carries a lot of weight and at times, I think this topic is something that we struggle with. I found myself saying something similar lately. This is because my 10 year old loves movies, but he always judges the movies by the cover. Judging the movie cover is how he decides whether or not it is something he wants to watch. So, a couple of days ago, I said to him "don't judge a movie by it's cover because you may miss out on a good movie" and so I encouraged him to watch this particular movie with me and he absolutely loved it.
Then, I got to thinking this morning. How many of us judge our situations by it's cover? I mean because the truth is that we all have different seasons in life. Some of our seasons tend to last longer than others. Spiritual seasons are not like the seasons that we are use to. God is in control of our spiritual seasons and sometimes we are in control because depending on how we choose to view or react to our season, it could be shorter or longer. So how do you know if you are judging your season and/or situation by it's cover? I'm glad that you asked.
When we begin to give up and allow our situations to overcome us, then we can see no silver living. We begin to question God, which is it OK to do that, but only if you are willing to hear his answer. The questioning that I am writing about is when we are angry/frustrated with God so we question him, but we are determined not to hear his answer. We believe that we already have the answer. We begin to judge our situation/season by it's cover.
We feel that it's always going to be like this. I can say WE because I have been there. We feel like all hope is lost, God has left us or he is punishing us. We began to compare our situations and seasons to other people, not realizing that we are just on the outside looking in. We cannot possibly know what another person goes through or what they did to get where they are now unless they have told us. Negative self talk and doubt also begins. So then we fall deeper and deeper into our situations/seasons. In the Bible, the Apostle Paul teaches us about being content.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV).
We can be content in knowing that 1. God has a plan for us, 2. God's word does not come back void, 3. God has already won our battle(he used his son Jesus to do that), and 4. No weapon formed against us shall prosper.
I encourage you today and every day, especially during this time where the whole world is being affected by COVID-19, to really ask God what is it that he wants you to learn during this season of your life. Ask God to reveal what you need to be doing. Do you need to rest? Do you need to be still( not the same as rest)? Do you need to pray more? Fast? Should be working on something? What it is and I promise you in you take time to listen and hear him he will answer.
I would like to leave you with this scripture:
"as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient( for a short time), but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).
This scripture explains to us why we shouldn't judge our situation/season by it's cover. Simply because the things that we are actually able to see you are temporary, the things that we can't are eternal. We can't see how God is working in the background, continue to have faith. Remember not to judge your situation/season by it's cover because you could miss out on what God is trying to do for you or someone you know in this season. Feel free to contact me using the contact form on the site or email me at info@purposewhispers.com
God bless,
Nicole C. Lofton
Your Spiritual Mentor
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