Made to Thrive

“The true test of walking in the Spirit will not be the way we act, but the way we react to the daily frustrations of life.”

-Beverly LaHaye

In regard to these daily frustrations, these byproducts of sin, it raises a single question: Will you live as a victim, or will you live as a survivor?

Sin is going to happen to all of us. Pain is going to happen. Loss is going to happen. But none of it has to define us. Romans 8:37 doesn’t call us losers, failures, or victims. Instead, it states that we are “more than conquerors," then follows in verses 38-39 with the truth that no force in all of creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer.

So friends, stop letting the enemy lie to you.

N o t h i n g can separate you from His holy reach, and if you believe these words to be true, then you’re free. A survivor. On the flip side, a belief in anything other than this lends you a victim mindset and ultimately, a willing hand in your own bondage.

Except it’s not always so obvious. Sometimes, that bondage comes dressed as prayers seemingly left unanswered.

Something I’ve developed a particular interest in lately is deep-diving into frequently misinterpreted scriptures. In this scenario, let’s break down together, the true meaning of Mark 11:24. “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

That verse is fire to many to get those lamp-rubbing hands ready, but the thing about our God is . . . He’s not a genie. He’s not a vending machine. “Ask and you shall receive”  doesn’t mean I believed God would give me a new car and woke up to one parked in my driveway. I asked Him to grant me this job, and the employer called me the next day. I believed He could heal my loved one, so they aren’t sick anymore. I asked Him to restore what was broken, so my happily ever after’s on the way wrapped up exactly as I pictured it to be. (key words: I pictured)

These listed instances above are examples of just a few ways we allow ourselves to be victimized by our own desires. The underlying danger is this: What happens when we don’t get the car, the job, the healing, or the restoration? From here, our thoughts begin to rapidly deteriorate. Is it because our faith wasn’t strong enough? Maybe God didn’t hear us. Worse yet . . . maybe He was ignoring us.

It’s a slippery slope that all-too-often leads believers to self-isolation, self-doubt, and voluntary withdrawal from their walk with God. In other words, it convinces them that they aren’t conquerors at all. They’re victims.

Now to better understand Mark 11:24 and avoid this—let’s be honest—toxic way of thinking, let’s look at both the surrounding verses and other similar verses, as the best way to gain context on a particular scripture is with more scripture.

Mark 11:25 states that while we are believing and praying, if we hold any contempt in our hearts for anyone, we are to forgive them as our Father in heaven has forgiven us. This is to say we must sacrifice ourselves to others as we have received Christ’s sacrifice. In this, we are to model ourselves after His example.

John 14:13-14 sees Christ offering a similar promise. “I will do whatever you ask in My Name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask Me for anything in My Name, and I will do it.” The distinctions to be made here are “My Name” and “so the Father may be glorified.” Jesus doubles down on this in John 15:7, saying “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Now Jesus, a Man who spoke primarily in riddles and parables, said nothing without reason. The words “in My Name” are loaded. They carry weight. To ask in the Son’s Name is to ask in line with the Father’s will and plans.

Remember, this is the God of all creation. He can do anything. He could drop that car in front of us right now if He wanted to. He speaks and galaxies are born. Trust me, a car is nothing in the scope of what God can and can’t do. But does it align with His will?

In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord and to allow our minds to be completely transformed to align with His will rather than conforming to the way of the world. He takes it a step further in Galatians 5:20, telling us to become crucified with Christ, thus letting Him live freely and fully through us.

So, in its simplest form, Mark 11:24 ultimately means “I want what you want, Lord.”

We must sacrifice ourselves to Jesus and do His work daily, and we must do so wholeheartedly (Luke 9:23, Romans 12:1, Galatians 5:20, Psalm 51:17).

We adapt this survivor mentality when we let go of our personal desires to focus fully and freely on following God’s path. When we decide every day to put His commands above our human nature. When we transform our thoughts through closeness with Him until our will is aligned with His.

Then, in the face of adversity, instead of circling the drain wondering why our own will isn’t being realized, we will be empowered to stand up and proclaim “I will wait for God, my Savior. He will hear me. Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” (Micah 7:7-8)

So victim or survivor? Be encouraged friends, that our God is a Man of His word, and in His Word, He states that He will never leave or forsake us, therefore we can confidently declare that we will not be afraid (Hebrews 13:5-6).

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of the lips that openly profess His Name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” -Hebrews 13:15-16

God wants us to thrive so that the name of Christ can go forward.