My husband and I have recently been reading the book, “His Glory Goes With Us” by Pastor Grace Akalonu. Her testimony has truly been an eye opener and is challenging us on many levels to grow in our own relationship with the Father.
It has really touched my heart to see how deeply Pastor Grace and those that ministered with her on various missions truly held on to faith and trusted the Father for all of their needs; no matter how big or small. I noticed on many occasions when she was faced with trials, or just growing in Elohim, she would pray for His Grace to help her in those areas. It’s evident that the Father has grown her exponentially through those circumstances. She faced lack of, food, clothing, many dangers, and in many times just needed wisdom in how to minister or approach a situation and yet she always prayed and sought the Father for Grace. One thing she mentioned was how in the western world we have access to so much that it often times hinders our spiritual growth. Considering all that we have at our fingertips, at times, instead of trusting in Elohim we try to make our own way. I had never thought of this, however, it is very true. We face financial troubles and we quickly run to the bank for a loan or ask someone else for a hand out. We feel ill and our first thought is to run to a doctor to fix it. We have a question and we run to google for answers. This really convicted me.
We claim to have faith, but instead of praying and seeking Elohim, even in the smallest things, we so easily become our own gods and make our own ways out. I reflected on how many times I’ve done this, and while my way may have given momentary relief, in the long run it caused more hardship. Running for loans and credit cards are a perfect example, but this also speaks to so many areas of our lives. Another example would be trying to fix things for our children, or maybe someone we love instead of allowing the Father to process them. Many times afterwards, we find ourselves having to watch them repeat a process because we helped to circumvent the Father’s process. We run to doctors instead of first praying for wisdom and healing; many are on daily medications that provide instant relief but are actually doing more damage to their bodies in the long run. I realized that one of the greatest blessings for believers in third world countries is actually not having the resources readily available when they are faced with various trials. In reality it is a blessing to be in that place to have to fully rely on Elohim. After all, He truly is faithful and will never fail to provide for His people. When we rely on Elohim in our trials, and not self, our Faith is strengthened. No wonder third world countries experience many more manifestations of His power than the many mega churches in the western world. They are sold out to Elohim and are fully trusting Him in all situations.
As I continue to read about her testimony, I realize that in us making our own way, we are robbing ourselves of growth and a deeper relationship with our Father. I find myself hungering for that more and more. I’m realizing more of what it means to die daily to self. May we not get to a place of being complacent, but be in a constant state of hungering for more of Him.
Jeremiah 17-7-8 NIV
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”