Why Are You Crying?

• I walk into a serious conversation and my first instinct is to crack a joke to break up the tension. I should have a stern face like everyone else, I suppose, but instead I'm playing the jokester. 

• People are laughing, having a good time, and suddenly something sad strikes my heart. Everyone is crying tears of joy, I'm simply crying. haha

Can you relate? Have you ever responded the opposite to what is happening in the environment? I had a friend who was known for his laugh in awkward moments. He giggled all the time, even if the situation was sad or scary. 

I don't think there's anything to condemn about it. It's really just a human observation I'm making. People are complex! And we don't always make sense in our responses. Even when it comes to our walk with the Lord. 

Except with Him, there is an appropriate response in situations involving faith. God has addressed this with me many times over the years. I would cry in His arms with such defeat in my heart and His response is, "Cheer up! All is well! Why are you crying? You should be rejoicing because you have the victory!"

What? Is He not aware of what is going on? Yes, He is. But His encouragement is based on what eyes of faith can see, not the eyes of human understanding. He's looking to change my perspective! See, sometimes, I cry because I simply lack the faith that is needed in the moment. I'm looking at things through a human perspective, not a faith-filled lens. I look at a situation and say, "It's a disaster! Nothing can help me now!" Oh me of little faith.

What are you facing right now in your life? What is challenging your faith today? You have a choice in your response. You can choose to accept the 'bad report' and wallow in defeat or you can rise up in the moment with eyes of faith and say, "God is My deliverer! I will not fear!" 

Yes, it's an opposite response! 

Faith will always refuse to make agreement 

with anything that contradicts the Word of God.

Though your enemy, the devil, would just love it if you did. He's just waiting to see what side you will land on so he can get a foothold on your life. He would love it if you would just give into defeat and profess with your mouth that you have lost. No! DON'T GIVE HIM THAT SATISFACTION! Resist the temptation to wallow! Believe God, instead! 

And then just watch! Watch how the Lord comes in and matches your faith with the grace to carry you through it! haha! God responds to faith, not unbelief. 

So how 'bout it, friend? Will you join me today in my faith-filled responses? It will contradict everything your eyes see. But we walk by faith, not by sight. 

***

“for we walk by faith, not by sight

 [living our lives in a manner 

consistent with our confident belief 

in God’s promises]—”

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

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