Eyes on the Prize

I've been thinking a lot recently about healing (as I'm sure you can tell!) but really, this can fit into any situation, whether it's healing you're seeking or anything else for that matter.

When I look at my situation - my skin, in this example - and I see that it hasn't changed; it doesn't seem to be healed, instead of becoming frustrated and upset, I smile and praise God! It sounds odd, and to be honest, it feels odd at the moment, but we must start to see the situation as God sees it. He's already imparted that wisdom; healing; or change, so in His eyes, it's already been done. He's just waiting for us to accept it.

As much as I think I've accepted this gift, when I look at or feel my skin, it's pretty obvious that some part of me hasn't yet. This leads me to ponder the reason why...

When we declare that the situation still has that hold over us; when I state that I'm "allergic",  "have eczema" or simply "have crappy skin", that's me declaring that the enemy is in control. He is not! As soon as I apply my creams, or make a decision not to touch something in fear of what it will do to my skin, I'm allowing the enemy to dictate and rule in my life. Each time I look at the list of allergies in my purse, which I have personalised and owned (I made it into a double-sided card in my favourite colours, laminated and claimed it - "Lisa's Skin Allergies") I allow the enemy to tighten his grip and lead me farther away from the gift that the Lord has promised.

I see it as a tunnel; you know how when people are dying, they say that they feel like they're walking in a long, dark tunnel and they just have to make it to the light? That's how I imagine it. My road to healing is a tunnel with many doors and exits leading off it. The enemy opens a door and hands me a cream or lotion. It would be so easy to take the bait and step away from the tunnel of faith. We must keep our eyes fixed on that light at the end of the tunnel - keep our eyes on Jesus.

The Temptation of Christ by armusik

Satan will always try to tempt us; look at what He did with Jesus in the desert [read Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13] We are no better than Jesus; we are no where near as holy as He; what makes us think that the enemy will try to tempt us any less? Will you allow yourself to be tempted away from that which you have a right to? Remember though, how Jesus overcame the enemy - He stood on the Word and proclaimed the Truth. There is nothing the enemy can do to counter that attack! We have this devastating arsenal to use against him; why do we allow him to continue?! However, we need to know the Word before we can use it - that's a nudge to myself more than anything - we need to read and be familiar with the Bible!

As the hymn says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face" - today I say to you, "Look full at His mangled face" and remember that He's already paid the price for you. When He was being tortured and ridiculed; when He was being beaten and the soldier was grinning in anticipation of hammering those nails into his beautiful skin; when He was dying and looked out upon His followers (few though there were) it was you He saw. Remember, He comes from a place where there is no time; when He saw the disciples, you were there amongst them (I hope I would have been amongst the disciples and not amongst the soldiers).

As He was enduring this horrific trial, when He took His final breath, He thought, "I'm doing this for Lisa; I'm doing this for..." He named each one of us. He knew our situations and He paid the price to wash them away.

When I look at my hands; when the pain feels unbearable; when they're so uncomfortable I feel that I can't go on - that's when I remember to keep my eyes on Jesus. I remember to thank Him, for He is working within me. I thank Him for giving me the strength and the healing, in faith that I will receive it.

Will you keep walking that tunnel, with your eyes never leaving Jesus' face? Or will you give in and take the easy way out? Will the pain or difficulty get to be too much for you or will you remember the pain that Jesus endured for you? Do you have the strength to follow that tunnel of faith, right to the end; right into the waiting arms of our beloved Jesus?

Just something to think about
-Lisa