“…the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling…” Ephesians 1:18a

Under the Circumstances

The story is told of two Christian men meeting on the street. The first asked the second how he was doing. His answer was, “Fine, under the circumstances.” The second considered this for a moment, then said, “What I want to know is, why are you living under the circumstances?”

This is a question I ask myself often. I might feel down in the dumps because I question my ability to be a good parent or wife. I might feel slighted because someone misunderstood something I said. I might be hoping for something that doesn’t seem likely to happen. There are any number of things in our lives that can depress us, worry us, bring fear, or promote a pity party.

Our common enemy wants us to bow to our circumstances—to give up, give in, give out—knees buckled in submission. But a reality check in the Word of God gives a true picture of our circumstances.

Yes, in this world we will have tribulation. But Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Yes, sin reigns in our mortal bodies. But we don’t have to obey it (Romans 6:12).

Yes, our minds generate all kinds of troubling thoughts. But we’ve been given a list of other things to think about that will place our minds where God intended (Philippians 4:8).

There are hundreds more Scriptures that give us good news for this life. But the bottom line truth about “our circumstances” are these from Ephesians chapter one:

  • God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
  • God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.
  • God wants us to be holy and without blame before Him IN LOVE.
  • God predestined us to be adopted as His children—and it was His good pleasure to do so.
  • He has bestowed His grace (favor) on us.
  • We are accepted in the Beloved.
  • In Him we have redemption through His blood—the rich grace of His forgiveness of our sins.
  • With perfect understanding and wisdom, He made His rich grace abound toward us.
  • He has made known to us the mystery of His will, and it was His good pleasure and His definite purpose to do so.
  • At the right time, He will gather us and all things—all heaven, all earth, all people—together in Christ.
  • We have an inheritance.
  • We are predestined according to His purposes.
  • He WORKS ALL THINGS according to the counsel of His will.

You see, there are no “circumstances” outside of Him. In this new year 2019, may we remember that “our circumstances” are in His hands. There is an infinitely bigger picture than the one we see every day with our limited vision, and it was planned and, in fact, finished and decided at the foundation of the world.

“Father, by Your grace, may we live our daily lives with the understanding that You have done great things for us, and You are accomplishing the impossible in us. We thank You. Amen.”