There’s More to It Than You Can See - Encouragement for Today - July 14, 2023
There’s More to It Than You Can See
JANEAN FREEMAN, COMPEL Training Member
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“And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17 (NIV)
Hanging up the phone, I did a victory dance. After I spoke to a representative from our cable provider, my family's loyalty to the company was rewarded with a discounted price that would fit into our budget, and I would no longer need to cancel.
But my excitement quickly faded when I received a confirmation email that did not match what I had been quoted. When I called back, another representative reassured me that she could see the reduced price and I didn’t have to worry. I felt relieved … until I saw the bill the following month.
For a third time, I called back, now frustrated.
The agent empathized with my frustration and offered a heartfelt, “I wish you could see what I see.” She said she could see a credit on the account that wasn’t reflected on the bill I’d received, and it would just be a matter of time before everything would line up.
Right then, I felt God speaking to me about situations in my life that had caused me worry, fear and disappointment. I felt God saying, If only you could see what I see. There’s more to it than how it looks. It’s going to work out in the end. Just trust Me.
In 2 Kings 6, we read that the prophet Elisha’s servant was afraid because of how circumstances appeared. He saw an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city to capture Elisha.
When he asked Elisha what they should do, Elisha told him: “‘Don’t be afraid … Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:16-17, NIV).
He discovered that there was definitely more to the situation than he could see.
What and how we see makes all the difference in the world. Wouldn’t it be nice to see with our natural eyes all the ways God is working behind the scenes? Bye-bye, fear, worry and doubt! But then again, how would we ever grow in our faith? And would we ever really learn to trust God?
What if, instead, through the eyes of faith, we are able to see a bit of what God sees? What if the Truth of God’s Word becomes more real to us than what we are able to see with our natural eyes?
I’ve found that it is in those challenging situations, when we feel surrounded by the enemy’s army, that we are able to switch to faith-vision. And if we hold on to God through the process, we see that His plans do work out in the end. The credit finally gets processed. It actually works together for our good.
So, friend, be encouraged: There’s more to your life than you can see.
Lord God, I desire to trust You with all of my heart. Help me to rest in knowing that You are working on my behalf in spite of how my situation looks to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Today’s devotion writer, JaNean Freeman, is a member of COMPEL Writers Training. For free writing tips, tricks and tools of the trade, subscribe to the COMPEL blog today!
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding …” (NKJV).
Hebrews 12:2, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (NKJV).
In what area do you feel God is asking you to trust Him in spite of how things look to you?
How can you shift your focus from your problems to God’s promises for you? Share with us in the comments today!
© 2023 by JaNean Freeman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
