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I started off last year learning about God's long-suffering love for me. When I have looked at life's circumstances and been tempted to think Him angry, disappointed or withholding, I have instead found Him patiently waiting for my realization that he is working miracles in my heart and mind. For me, the greatest spiritual battles are played out on the field of my mind and heart.

Eph3:20-21 "20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

I am learning that sometimes God performs a miracle on my heart and mind over a miracle concerning my circumstances. He does immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine, but it takes time and most important, it takes faith to believe. It takes time in the unknown, in the uncomfortable.

Dan3:17 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us [...] But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your god's or worship the image of gold you have set up"

This is the type of faith I aspire to. When my mind or the circumstances in my life are the furnace, I want to stand firm and know that Jesus is by my side through it. There is a miracle in progress if I just hold onto Him through the scary and sometimes painful times. This is especially hard when the carnal world is so much easier to see and feel.

I recently had corrective eye surgery, PRK. It's a laser eye procedure that burns off your cornea in the process of correcting your vision. Immediately following you can see clearly, it's incredible, but in the days following your vision blurs and gets worse while your cornea grow back. It gets worse before it gets better. Although I knew this, I called my doctor after a week looking for reassurance while in flux. I also questioned if something went wrong or if it would really get better. I was called to trust in my surgeon, who has an impeccable reputation, with over 20 years of experience. Yet I still had moments of doubt because all these can falter. Now I'm on the upswing and can see that it is indeed working but through those blurry days I had to have patience and faith.

Matt9:29" Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith it will be done for you."

Let's just say I have a new appreciation for this passage now. Jesus is our perfect God, he does not falter and calls us to a greater faith. It is according to this faith that he can work miracles in my life. Needless to say I know that more often than not my faith allows God little room to work but I hope to change that.

Mark 9:24 "I believe, help me to overcome my unbelief."

We trust imperfect people every day by faith, committing ourselves to them. Yet one can have such a difficult time trusting the faultless, all loving creator.

Psalm 37:3,5-6"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.5 Commit your ways to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the noon day sun."

Whether it’s life's circumstances or my self image that I grapple with, I have a choice to commit and recommit all to Him daily, by faith, because I do know God's character and His steadfast long suffering for me. I know his love and it is by it's power that I can change my mind. It is the truth of His love that changes my mind and heart giving me the right perspective to win every battle, let go of what he calls me to discard and fight for what he calls me to fight for. There will be times of blurriness, but I can live and act out of the assurance that His clarity and peace will come and it will be better than I could have asked for or imagined, if I just believe. The fight is on.

Mrk9:23 "'If you can?' said Jesus, 'Everything is possible for him who believes.'"

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Curse is Gone