May 11
26
Overcoming Challenges and Addictions
“The more revelation you have of the grace of God and His forgiveness, the more you will have the power to reign over all your challenges and addictions.” Joseph Prince from Destined to Reign. (pg 47).
I am on a journey of understanding the Grace of God – it has been a seven year journey so far! I love this most recent book on the topic by Joseph Prince that friends recommended to me; I, in turn, highly recommend it.
We want to live a life that is not held back by challenges and addictions that rob us from peace and joy. No one likes the torment of thoughts and shame that accompany us through life when we are bound up in something that we know to be destructive for our health, peace and well-being.
But how to do we get unstuck???
Many people strive by their own efforts to get out from under the addiction. They put laws around their life, “I will never do that again!” Or they begin each new year with another New Year’s Resolution. They rely on their own willpower to walk away not understanding that willpower is simply not powerful enough!
Another symptom of this struggle is the problem of guilt and condemnation. When they fail, they feel horrible. ”Why can’t I just get my act together?” they may wonder. Or, “What is wrong with me?” is often their attitude toward themselves. And they simply sink deeper into the addiction to try to feel better. Oh, I understand this – been there, done that!
In this book, I love the simplicity of the Gospel message – Believe and Receive in order to Reign.
Believe + Receive = Reign in life!
Believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross – He bore all your sins for you. The wrath of God has been satisfied in this regard. God is not mad at you – He put all your stuff on Jesus. It is finished. It is done. Your struggle is NOT a surprise to Him. He still loves you! Why is this important? It enables you to come close to God rather than run the other way when you struggle! And, trust me, this is a moment when you desperately need to come closer to Jesus rather than turning your back on Him.
Next, Receive to reign. This concept comes from Romans 5:17:
For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life trough the One, Jesus Christ.
Our job is to receive grace and righteousness. What does receiving mean? It means this is a gift that we simply embrace with open arms and take in or soak up! We do not work for it, strive, labor, grit our teeth, beg or plead for this; we simply receive the unmerited gift. “This means that the more grace you receive, the more power you have to overcome sin. In other words, sin shall not have dominion over you when you receive the abundance of grace!” (page 26).
Next,the gift of righteousness is the right standing we have before God when we receive Jesus as our Savior. We know we are right before God not because of our efforts, but because of Jesus and what He has done for us. Now believe that you are righteous. Period.
Believe + Receive = Reign in life!
When we focus on Believing and Receiving, then and only then, will we Reign in life – victorious, healthy, whole, and peaceful. I am not an expert at this – but I am wanting to learn.
So let me say it again – the most effective way to overcome challenges and struggles is to focus on Believing and Receiving rather than trying harder by Doing and Striving. When we soak up all that Grace, it will empower us to overcome. When we focus on Jesus instead of ourselves, the change will come.
So where is your focus? Please share with us a comment of your own journey towards overcoming obstacles in your life. Did this inspire you to try a different approach?
Joseph Prince Ministries may be found at http://www.josephprince.org/.
Tune the Temple is a Christian Weight Loss Plan that focuses on God’s Love and Grace to come out of compulsive over-eating.
