In Spite Of

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us"

We have all had times or will have times when we are faced with or placed in challenging situations (good and bad). Whether it be from day to day, week to week, or month to month we all have something to deal with. How we approach those situations define the level of our faith. When we are in atonement with God our approach to any given situation is directed by Him. Then at the end of the day no matter how good or how bad He gets all the glory, honor and the praise.

As difficult as it may be we must praise and worship Him in spite of what we're going through. Do you know why? For starters worship is the way to access God; acknowledging how much you love Him, how much you trust Him, and How much you depend on Him. Then secondly, He loved you in spite of your sin; therefore, you should worship Him in spite of your situation. He protected you in spite of your wreck-less and careless behavior, He provided for you despite your unwillingness to tithe faithfully, He gave His only Son for you in spite of your undeserving, ungrateful, sinful ways, and etc. Being saved doesn't mean everything will always be all good but I thank God that it's not all bad either.

Your faith is tested by the situations you are faced with (which is why I love our motto "face your fears with faith" you can replace "fears" with whatever fits your situation). We aren't expected to be perfect, but we are expected to be faithful. And that isn't relevant just in hard times, believe it or not most people tend to stray or forget about the goodness of God in the good times. Either way you're being tested! Will you pass or fail? You have to love, worship, and praise God in spite of the good times or the bad ones. In spite of your sickness or your health. In spite of your wealth or your lack thereof. In spite of your brokenness. Whatever your case may be; whatever you're going through know that you're going THROUGH which means it won't last forever...you'll be out soon.

Your faith cannot be situation-based; however, the basis of your faith should speak to your situation. Don't be afraid to boldly face what you're going through with the Word of God. I can assure you for every situation there is a Word that speaks directly to it! You have to open your eyes, your ears, and most importantly your heart to receive it. He's not ignoring you, you actually may be the one ignoring Him. Don't keep God waiting...get up and praise Him anyway, in spite of it all. Don't give God nothing less than your best because that's what He gives you. Psalm 34:1 says "I will bless the Lord at all times and His praise shall continually be in my mouth" live by that...FEARLESSLY!!