I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. (Matthew 21:21, NIV)
I once read a bumper sticker that said, “Focusing on our problems blinds us to our blessings.” OK, while I’m not one who particularly likes bumper stickers, I love that one because it’s so true.
If we look long enough at our problems, they seem to get bigger and bigger. What starts out as a miniature molehill, suddenly looks like a massive mountain—a mountain that blinds you to all of the blessings in your life. Before you know it, you’re facing the Mount Everest of problems!
Rather than dwelling on how big your problems are today, why not think about how big your God is! Why not count all of the blessings in your life? Why not stop talking about the mountains in your life and start talking to them instead? (Matthew 21:21).
You might be saying, “But, Michelle, I’ve told God all about my mountain. I’ve asked God to speak to my mountain for me.”
Here’s the problem with that line of thinking. God will never do what He has commanded you to do, and He has told you to speak to the mountains in your life. He has got your back. He has equipped you to handle whatever “mountain” you’re facing today. All you have to do is speak to that mountain, believe that God is working in that situation and praise God even before you see that mountain moved.
READ MORE: MUSTARD SEEDS AND MOVING MOUNTAINS
Mark 11:24 says, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours” (NLT). Think on that verse when you start to get discouraged.
If you have trouble meditating on God’s goodness instead of on your problems, I have an assignment for you. I want you to keep a little praise journal, and every day find something to praise God for—the sunny day, your pay raise, your health, the gorgeous view out of your window, the fact that you hit every light “green” on your way home, etc.
Then, write those praises in your journal and read over them when your mind starts to focus on your problems. Begin thanking Him for the little things, and pretty soon your big problems won’t seem so big anymore.
Pray this with me:
Thank You, God, for all of the blessings in my life. Help me, Lord, to focus on those blessings instead of the problems I’m facing. And, help me to speak to those mountains without hesitation, Father. I love You. In the Mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.
