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2015-07-17 14.06.25Maybe it’s just me… but sometimes the scathing and derogatory comments made about believers strike my ego in just the wrong way. The suggestion that we’re uneducated, or ignorant, or buffoons grates on my old tendency to be an approval addict. On a bad day, it has been known to make me question my faith.

Just being real. Nope, I’m not at all perfect.

There was a time in my life when I was an atheist. There was also a time when I was a Buddhist. And still another time that I believed in all paths to God. And during each of those seasons I was definitely a big proponent of Darwin. I used to believe that “Darwin always wins.” Now I believe “My God is Bigger.”

I used to believe that “Darwin always wins.” Now I believe “My God is Bigger.”

At the end of the day, what keeps me grounded in Jesus is not going to church, or prayer, or other believers, or even the bible (although it’s surely enough)… it’s the reality that in July of 2010 (and several times since) I had a life-changing, undeniable encounter with God and the result was my dramatic conversion to Christ.

In fact, I’d venture to guess that the majority of people who truly believe with their whole heart, to the extent that they’ve been changed, transformed… had a God encounter that made them that way.

[For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. -1 Corinthians 1:18]

That’s what makes it so hard for non-believers to get us. We’re basing our FAITH on something that seems irrational. On something that can’t be seen in the natural (I could argue that everything under heaven actually reveals the glory of God—but I’ll save that for another post). Although we can’t completely explain it— something has happened to us in the spirit realm that leaves an imprint. When it happens, we know that we know that we know that Jesus is real and He is alive. And one day the whole world will know it, too.

So you see, we needn’t be swayed or hurt or misled by those who hurl insults or reject us. They haven’t had their God encounter yet. The scriptures say that no one can know Jesus is Lord until the Holy Spirit reveals that truth to them.

[So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. -1 Corinthians 12:3]

Nowadays, when the low blows come (just me or are they more prevalent than ever?)– I just take a deep breath, smile, and remember that I’m operating on inside knowledge from the Holy Spirit, and I begin to adamantly pray for the one who would degrade me for my faith.

Afterall, no one can convince me that the sun won’t rise in the East tomorrow morning, or that summer won’t fade into fall, or that chocolate isn’t imperative to a happy life. 🙂 These are realities I’ve had convincing experiences with. And so is my God.

[Faith is the evidence of things unseen. –Hebrews 11:1b]

If you are a person of faith but you can’t quite pin-point your own God encounter moment—that’s OK. Ask God for a new one! It absolutely tickles Him to show off and make Himself known to His kids. Just wait on Him and He’ll come through. Just say “Lord I want to know like I know like I know that you are the real deal. PLEASE show up and reveal yourself to me,” and then watch and see.

One more pointer— PLEASE, I’m begging you… WRITE DOWN the details every single time God reveals Himself to you because one day a dry spell will come, a hater will hate, a bad thing will happen—and those God encounters will see you through.

Approval Addicition is totally a thing and I have personally struggled with it in my 35 years. If that’s you, too– read Approval Addiction by Joyce Meyer! #GameChanger

Be blessed, Sister! I LOVE YOU!

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