I wonder if you’ve ever had an ah-ha moment with God and then wondered, Did that really happen? Or maybe God has done a miraculous work of healing in your life, and after a while you doubted, “Did God heal that hurt in my life?”
Often after God does a mighty work in our lives, Satan begins with His blah, blah, blah, and doubt enters our thinking. It reminds me of the story recorded in John 9:1-34.
Jesus was walking with His disciples when they saw a man who had been born blind. Immediately, the disciples jumped to the conclusion that either the man or his parents had sinned for him to have been born blind. I imagine Jesus sighed deeply as He explained that the blindness was not the result of sin. He went on to explain that it was so that the work of God would be displayed.
Then Jesus spit on the ground, made mud, put it on the man’s eyes and told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man instantly obeyed and did exactly what Jesus told Him to, and he came back seeing! Imagine how excited he would be to see after years of being blind. Unfortunately, the skeptics immediately said, “No! This didn’t happen! It’s not the same man.” How frustrating this must have been for the poor man!
The man’s critics were so skeptical that they brought him to the religious leaders, saying, “This man claims he’s been healed.” Jesus and all His miracles didn’t fit the Pharisees’ theological box, and so they demanded to see the man’s parents and grilled them with questions such as, “Is this your son? Was he born blind? How can he now see?” Amazing, right? The parents gave testimony that it was their son, that he was born blind and that he could now see. Then the religious leaders, instead of celebrating the miracle, called Jesus a sinner. Incredulous, the man born blind said, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know, I was born blind, but now I see!”
As I’ve been studying and thinking about this story, I think there are a few lessons in it for us. First of all, don’t judge what God has done in someone else’s life, even if it doesn’t fit your theological box. But beyond judging, I think it’s easy when we’ve experienced a touch from God to doubt that experience when others criticize. How do we instead stand strong, celebrating what God’s done when others don’t understand?
Here Are 3 Ways to Celebrate God’s Work in You:
- Keep a faith journal. When you write down the dates and circumstances of times when God has answered very specific prayers, or times when you felt God spoke to you, you build up your confidence in God. Remembering is good for our faith. This is why the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 77:11a, “I will remember the works of the Lord.” Remembering bolsters our trust in God.
- Tell your story. Even when others are cynical or skeptical, tell your story. The process of telling your story cements the experience in your mind and leaves an imprint on your heart. Don’t allow others to steal your joy. Simply rejoice and continue to tell your story.
- Praise God often for what He’s done. It’s no secret to those who know me that praise is a huge priority in my life. When we intentionally praise God, there is a shift in our thinking. Anxiety lessens and confidence increases. Most importantly, praise defeats the enemy who wants to kill, steal and destroy what God’s done in your life.
After the religious leaders had thrown the man out of the synagogue, Jesus found the man again and asked Him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” (John 9:35b). I love the man’s response. After asking who the Son of God was, he said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him (John 9:38). Worship cements the goodness of what God’s done in our lives in our hearts. {eoa}
Becky Harling, an author, certified speaker, leadership coach and trainer with the John Maxwell Team, is an energetic and motivational international speaker inspiring audiences to overcome their greatest life challenges and reach their full God-given potential. Her most recent book is How to Listen So People Will Talk. Her husband, Steve Harling, is the president of Reach Beyond, a nonprofit organization seeking to be the voice and hands of Jesus around the world.
This article originally appeared at beckyharling.com.
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