God sent a testimony across my path that should have encouraged me, but instead of encouraging me, it put me in a somber mood. God had performed a miracle in another person’s life and wanted to encourage me, lift me up. He wanted to remind me that if He did it for that person, most assuredly, He will do it for me!
But instead of allowing that testimony to boost my confidence in the Lord and to pull me out of the dumps, the testimony pushed me deeper into despair. In fact, hearing the good news turned my focus further away from the Master.
How could that happen? Why did this happen? How could great news, encouraging news, uplifting news, and empowering news do just the opposite?
Well, I allowed the spirit of jealousy, the spirit of discontentment, the spirit of doubt to cloud my view of celebrating what God had done in another person’s life. I misinterpreted the miracle and the testimony that God was using to encourage me and build me up. What a shame!!
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth…. Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.’ When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.’” (John 9:1,3,6-7, NKJV)
In today’s passage, we read about Jesus healing the blind man, an opportunity for God’s glory to be seen! Any doubt should have been erased. This was a time for celebration! A time for worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the miraculous healing Jesus performed. Instead of celebrating, praising and thanking God, the religious leaders complained and found fault in the miracle. Instead of acknowledging Jesus as The Healer, the people doubted the blind man’s testimony and begin interrogating him. Even the parents of the blind man were afraid of the miracle and the testimony of their child (John 9:8-34).
They misinterpreted the miracle and the testimony.
Sisters, are you misinterpreting the miracle and testimony sent by God to encourage you? Are you allowing what’s supposed to be a time of celebration and uplifting to cause your heart to become jealous, discontented, and doubtful?
The miracle and the testimony are given so that God’s glory can be seen and to remind us just how powerful our God is! The next time God sends a miracle and a testimony our way, instead of misinterpreting them, let’s celebrate! Let’s give God the praise for the great things He has done and the great things He will do in our lives as well!!
During your study time, read John chapter 9 and allow the testimony of the blind man encourage you!
LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!
*Originally posted 1/04/12.
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Rhovonda L. Brown is speaker and author of two bestsellers, Walking in Freedom!: A Thirty-Day Devotional Journey for Women and At Least Say, “Thank You!”: An 8-Day Devotional Plan for a Grateful Heart.
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