To have the proper appraisal of something is to recognize it for what it is and then treat it accordingly. For example, when we have the proper appraisal of our leaders, we treat them with respect, take every opportunity to be blessing to them, and do not allow others to speak negatively of them. When we have the proper appraisal of trouble, we faithfully continue in giving and in service, praise God in advance, and resist creating “Ishmaels” trying to help God out.
The beginning of a new year presents the perfect opportunity for appraisal. The excitement wears off quickly. Our zeal and resolve swiftly gives way to routine and everyday. Almost immediately, the enemy will remind us of all the commitments we did not see through to completion in 2010. Although we raise our expectations towards God’s promises for our lives, we may soon feel discouraged over the circumstances that have carried over into 2011. We may feel that we never quite reached our deliverance. We may feel that we have come up short on our breakthrough. It may seem that too many aches and pains are yet robbing us of our healing.
But, let’s take a different point of view.
If you are suffering through something right now, remember that God calls suffering a manifest token of His righteous judgment. It may sound strange, but we can truly count it all joy. With God, we never go through just to go through. He does not chasten us after His own pleasure as the fathers of our flesh do. It is always for our good and for His glory. We know that all things are working together for our good.
If you have few situations working against you right now, remember God’s grace is sufficient for you. God will make His grace to abound toward you, that you will always have all sufficiency in all things. When a man’s way please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to have peace with him. He will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies. The enemy may come at you one way, but he will flee in seven. So you may not be on the job you want and people may not be treating you as they should. But you are closer to the shore than you think. And when God closes the sea behind you, you will see that enemy no more.
If your bank account is low right now, remember God specializes in making a little do much. If you have strained relationships right now, remember God specializes in reconciliation and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. He can restore to us the years that the cankerworm and the caterpillar has eaten. Every heart is in His hands. He can take away our stony hearts and give us a heart of flesh that is sensitive to His leading and compassionate towards all people.
In this Year of Recompense, all that the devil has stolen is being returned to you and nothing shall be missing. Doors that have been shut will swing wide open. God is going to trust you with His presence, power and abundance this year. He has given us great and precious promises. He has given us His word to guide us along the way. And He has given us His spirit to empower us. Don’t be weary in well doing. The process is necessary for possession, lest the land which He is taking us to will spew us out. As believers, we are built in adversity. Adversity teaches us that God will never leave us or forsake us. It teaches us to live on purpose with excellence and integrity. Without a little trouble, when our blessings arrive, we may find we have contaminated them and rendered them ineffective in our lives.
So no matter what circumstances may have trailed you into 2011, break forth into singing and cry aloud. Enlarge the place of your tent and stretch forth the curtains of your habitations. Spare not! Lengthen your chords and strengthen your stakes. Get ready! You are about to break forth on the right hand and on the left. Fear not! You will not be ashamed, neither will you be confounded. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember the reproach of your widowhood no more.
Take up your bed and Walk into your season! It is already done for you.
