Remember, faith does not start with what you believe; faith starts with what God believes. Our faith is simply coming into agreement with His perspective. We live in very difficult and trying times, and if we are not careful, we will become so conscious of what we see going on around us in the natural that we will end up coming into agreement with the devil. It is imperative that we stay conscious of how God sees things so that we only bear witness of heavens report, and not earth’s.
Romans 15:13 NASB95
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
During this season in world history, I believe that this particular verse in Romans 15 needs to be embedded in the heart of every Christian because it says something very clear about God’s perspective in all seasons. He is a God of hope, and therefore I can only measure whether or not my disposition about what is going is right is if my disposition is infused with abounding hope and peace. It’s not that we don’t see negative things happening, but it’s that we don’t see negative conclusions coming because we live from God’s vision, not the devils. If you find yourself with a sense of hopelessness, then you can know for sure that you have been listening to the evil one instead of the God of hope. No matter what goes on in the world or in your own personal life, there will never be a moment when God’s perspective isn’t one of hope. As Christians we are seated in the heavenly places in Christ and therefore, we are called to live seeing the big picture about everything and not just the present circumstance or mess, and the big picture is full of hope because that’s where God lives and how He sees everything. You and I are gospel people, and the word gospel means “good news.” You and I are “good news people,” not bad news people.