There is Always Another Chance

“God does what is impossible only when the possibilities of man are exhausted. The brilliant thing is, we can stand in our impossible situations and smile because we know now that I’ve reached the end of what is possible for me, I can step into the place of what is possible for Him.”
– Graham Cooke

My dear warrior,

​In the previous posts, I talked about how we create our own ‘theology of suffering’ in order to be able to make sense of our circumstances. There is no way I could possibly write about every single situation that could possibly exist, but I do think there is a limited amount of scenarios, and that every person’s story is just a permutation of one of these ‘basic story structures’ (for lack of a better term). Today I want to share a different scenario with you: that of tests and territory.
 
Often times, God puts us into certain territory because He wants us to conquer that territory. He wants us to take it for ourselves, to take the blessings that He has already put into it. It is ours …for the taking. It is ours, but it is up to us to conquer that territory.

The whole point of Israel going into the wilderness after they had been brought out of slavery in Egypt was so that they would conquer territory. God presented them with a challenge because that was precisely what they needed in order to break free from their slave mentality. All of Israel had the mindset of a slave at that point; it was all they had ever known! So bringing them out into the wilderness served a two-fold purpose: to break them of their slave mindset, and to give them a chance to conquer territory.
 
With that said, God is the kindest person I have ever met. He is constantly at work in my life to break me of slave mentality, and is constantly giving me tests. But these tests are not designed to be failed. In fact, He is so kind that (as Graham Cooke says) He will give us the same test over and over and over and over again – until we pass! The most important thing about these tests is to realize that they are indeed tests. If you have noticed a pattern in your life, and you find yourself facing essentially the same scenario over and over again, I can almost guarantee you that that is a test God is giving you in your life. And I can bet that you have not passed any of those tests; otherwise they would not still be recurring at the same level in your life.
 
If that is the case, stop running from your test. Maybe you’ve ended relationships, or moved cities or changed jobs to get away from those tests, but they are going to keep following you to the ends of the earth until you pass them. (Why? Because there is nowhere you could possibly go to run from God or hide from the tests He has for you). No matter how uncomfortable these tests may be, these tests are not a bad thing. Yes, they are intended to draw you out of your unholy comfort zones! But the most important thing about those tests is that God has quite literally laid out a prize in front of you, and you must win the game or pass the test in order to get it. He has placed you in territory that is rightfully yours, but is being occupied by the enemy—and you have to take it back. You must conquer it. For those of you who are competitive, just realize that this is your game! But it’s not yours to win; it’s yours to lose. Don’t lose what is already yours. That would be foolish.
 
Back to the slavery mindset: if God has placed you into wilderness so that you can conquer territory that is rightfully yours, then you need a change of mind. Renew your mind and ask God to give you a lens change. You cannot allow a theology that empowers the enemy in your life and robs you of power and authority. You cannot allow a theology of powerlessness in your life. You cannot allow a thought that says that the enemy is bigger than the Maker of the Universe. (Go ahead and laugh at that. That very idea is just laughable!)
 
One of the most important core traits of a warrior I have learned is defiance. I do not mean rebelliousness or disobedience. Defiance is daring, challenging spirit that constantly pushes to become better. To be a warrior in the spirit or in the natural, you have to have a level of defiance that says I will not give up! I will be victorious over the enemy, not matter what way the enemy comes against me or tries to lie to me. I am holding fast to the truth and reality of the King of the Universe: and He says I have victory, so I will not stop short of victory!
 
If you want to settle for less, fine. That’s your business. If you want to keep wandering in the wilderness for 40 years because you refuse to learn your lesson so that you can pass your test, fine. If you want to keep whining, moaning and complaining and throwing pity-parties, be my guest. If you want to feel sorry for yourself and hate where you’re at, go for it. But I guarantee, you are going to stay in the place you hate until you finally recognize the test for what it is, partner with God and conquer that territory. You will have no peace or joy as long as you spend your life trying to run from what God has for you. (Guess who is going to get worn out first? You. Our God is relentless in His pursuit of you.)
 
As for me? I want to conquer the territory He has for me. And then I want to conquer the next and the next—I want all He has for me. I want to experience God in His fullness. I want to live from a place of abundance, to live the life of an overcomer, to live a life in line with Scriptures. I want to live according to His will—not my stubbornness. I want to live as the disciples in the early church; I want to live like those in the book of Acts. The Church was not passive then, so why is it passive now? The Holy Spirit showed up in power, and the church was literally on fire for God. I want that!
 
My question for many of you is: how can you possibly think that God doesn’t speak anymore? That He doesn’t move in power? That He doesn’t do miracles, and that there are no more signs and wonders? How could you possibly believe that God wrote a book and then lost His voice? Did you miss the part of the Bible where Jesus said “Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
 
When Jesus said we would do the same things He did, he was talking about miracles! His specific instruction was to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons.” (Matthew 10:8) I don’t know about you, but I believe every part of the Bible. So when Jesus said to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons, I believe that's what He wants us to do. In fact, I’m pretty sure that was specific, direct order. When your King and Commander gives you an order, you follow through.
 
You are designed to be an overcomer. You are designed for victory over the enemy. You are designed to be more than a conqueror! What does it mean to be more than a conqueror? Graham Cooke says, “Being more than a conqueror is when the enemy looks at you and becomes so intimidated that he decides not to attack because he can’t afford it.” Don’t resign yourself to defeat. If you give up, you cannot expect to see the answers/ promises/ territory that God wants you to gain. If you’ve given up, it’s no wonder that you don’t have what God wants to give you; it’s no wonder you aren’t walking in fullness; it's no wonder you don't have what your heart desires; it’s no wonder you aren’t seeing your prayers answered.
 
What “impossible” situations are you facing right now? What impossibilities do you need to trust God with in this time? Where do you need to see breakthrough? Where do you need to fight, conquer and dominate in order to take the territory that is rightfully yours? Where do you need a lens change (a right perspective) in your life?
 
“God does what is impossible only when the possibilities of man are exhausted. The brilliant thing is, you can stand in your impossible situations and smile because you know now that you’ve reached the end of what is possible for you, you can step into the place of what is possible for Him.” -Graham Cooke
 
As you conquer territory and as you pass your test, you are becoming more like Him. One thing about Him is that He is relentless in His nature. That relentless nature is part of who you are becoming. Think about what it would look like for you to be as relentless as He is. Think of what it would be like to have a mindset so rooted in His majesty that nothing is impossible.
 
Live in the battleground,
Warrior Beloved

P.S. Thank you to everyone who has contacted me about my healing blog. I am so thrilled to have seen so many people healed and set free from food allergies. That is a prime example of taking territory! 

©Michèle Aimée, 2016