Monday, February 18, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

Quick Fix Mentality

Habakkuk 2:4  "...the righteous will live by his faith."

I love the story of Naaman found in 2 Kings 5. Naaman was a highly  favored and successful commander in his army, but he suffered from leprosy. Naaman found out about a prophet named Elisha who could heal him.

Upon approaching Elisha's home, the prophet sent a servant to the door to tell Naaman "Go, wash yourself SEVEN times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed. But Naaman went away angry and said, 'I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, WAVE HIS HAND over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.'"

Namaan wanted a quick fix. He wanted Elisha to wave his hand, and for him to be immediately healed. He didn't anticipate that to get his miracle, there would be a process.

I don't always understand the process that God uses for us to receive our miracles. However, God has your BEST interest at heart. The process to get to your miracle can be dreadful, but to receive the PROMISE, you have to walk out the PROCESS.

I have a friend who often asks God to "please take the calories away" every time she blesses her food. Wouldn't that be nice! Unfortunately, if you want the dieting results, you have to walk through the process.

Naaman was told to wash himself SEVEN times in the river before receiving his healing. The number SEVEN means "PERFECT." So, on the SEVENTH time or the PERFECT time, Naaman would be healed. God has not forgotten the things He has promised you. He will fulfill His promises at the perfect timing if you remain faithful to the process.

Naaman reluctantly followed the prophets commands, and "his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy."

Can you imagine if he had stopped at the 5^th or 6^th time? I know that it would be easier for God to "wave His hand" and for all of our problems to be solved, but there is something greater in the journey that can't always be found in the quick fix.

I challenge you today to keep your faith in God and to keep walking out YOUR process.

Dear Lord, I thank You that You are a good God. Although I may not understand the process, give me the strength to walk it out. I know that MY miracle will come at the PERFECT timing.

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.