“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.  Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.   He has delivered us from such a deadly peril,  and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope  that he will continue to deliver us.”  2 Cor. 1:8b-10

If I could have a theme scripture for my life, this one would rank pretty high on my list.  Most of the struggles I have endured, have revealed a whole slew of beautiful things in me……mainly, just how self-reliant I am.  How I completely remove Him from the equation at times and rely on the visible facts.  My mindset would best be described as  A+B=C, ie. I feel like dying +Doctor says I am going to die=Death. 

It was not until I began to understand the principle of this scripture that I began to see.  Yes, if it were just about me and the facts I would settle for a limited life.  But this scripture gives me a different way to look at life, a limitless life.  It introduces a different reasoning.  Not the rationale of the world, but a rationale of the Kingdom of God.  Under this rationale, the equation may look like A + B =Z, ie. I feel like dying + Doctor says I am going to die = God raises the dead!  You see, raising the dead was not something that just happened to Jesus, He was the one to release it!!  He made the way of access for us!!  He modeled the pattern!!  And He didn’t just stop with our lives, this power to raise the dead applies to everything that is “dead!”; to mindsets, perspectives, finances, emotions, dreams,  relationships, etc.  The list is endless….  Our hope must be set on the premise that whatever is dead can be raised to life by the power of Jesus.   We must begin to align ourselves and our thinking with the rationale of the  Kingdom of God.

Instead of asking yourself today how you are going to make it through, tell yourself that you don’t know how you are going to make it through because the answer is not inside of you.  Then tell yourself that you are relying on The One who raises the dead!  That you are perfectly capable of enduring whatever is before you because you are relying on God, and He has delivered you, He will deliver you, and He will continue to deliver you!  Now turn to God, believe Him, receive His strength, set your hope, and wait for Him to raise you up in Jesus Name!