Bill Johnson - Faith Denies Problems, a Place of Influence
We thank you for the cars. One of the things that I've noticed in those who work hard to develop a faith culture is that they unintentionally begin to live in denial. They pretend that certain problems or challenges, or things that are out of order, do not exist. That's not a healthy way to live, because it doesn't make us capable of addressing the things that are going on in and around our lives. Faith doesn't deny a problem exists; it just denies it a place of influence. What I've chosen to do with my own life, with the way I think and the way I pray, is to examine a problem. I'll take a look at it deeply so that I understand the very thing that needs to happen, but then I fill my heart with what God is doing.
I listen for what God is saying, and I review the things that God has spoken to me in recent months or weeks to see if there might be a tool, an insight, or some ingredient that would help me address this problem. God doesn't put us in places where we're ill-equipped. We may feel that way, but if we stop being intimidated by the size of a problem and start looking at our lives generally, we'll see that God has been speaking to us and preparing us for the challenge we're now facing. If we can pull out of fear—fear causes me to forget the tools that God has put in my possession—if I step out of fear, I won't allow the problem to have a place of influence in my thinking, my emotions, or my value system.
If I can succeed there, then I'll start finding the tools that God has already placed in my life: the insights, the words of promises, and the things that really lead me into the breakthrough season I long for. I want to encourage you to learn to be proactive in being strong internally. Courage is something that resides inside of us; it's internal and eternal. It bursts from us because we've been feeding on the nature of God, on the testimony of God, and on the promises He has given us. You just can't help but feel encouraged when you're connected to the One who sees the answers to the present problems. I never have to be afraid. Sometimes I fall into fear, but I can tell you through my life experiences, you never have to be afraid because He already sees the beginning from the end. He has the solution.
The problem that I'm facing didn't catch Him off guard; it's not like He looks at a problem and goes, "Wow, I didn't see that coming." That's just not God. He knows ahead of time about the very things coming our way, and He prepares us to face them—not for survival, but for victory. We are overcomers; that’s who you are and who I am. He created us to be an overcoming culture, an overcoming community of believers. It's your nature in God; it's normal for you to believe. It's normal for you to trust. That is what it means to be born again. Turn to that; feed your heart on what He says and what He's doing. Watch what happens. If I encourage just one person, it will erupt inside of you like a volcano; it will be contagious. People around you will start to believe in God, even those who have never believed in God, simply because of your courage.