(Be blessed by this post by guest blogger Shyju Thomas)

This is important for everyone called to a great destiny. As Christians, we look to God as our Father. In fact, we are joint heirs to God’s inheritance. Galatians 4:7 says, ‘So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.’

So then the danger arises when we as Christians end up thinking that we will receive everything that we ask. But to tell the truth, from time to time, we find ourselves sulking about something that we really wanted and did not get.

I’ve had my own times of sulking but after some polishing and moulding from God, I look back today and praise God for shutting doors because now I realize how I was not ready for that blessing.

There is another important verse in that same chapter that we must understand closely. Galatians 4: 1, 2 says, ‘What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.’

To explain that in simple words would mean that even though you own all the blessings, our Father in heaven waits for the right time to give it to you.

For an earthly example, even though a child rightly has access to his father’s car, his father waits for him to grow up till the age that he is physically capable and legally allowed to drive! Otherwise, that same car which is supposed to be a blessing may end up destroying the life of that child. How much more does our Heavenly Father understand when we are ready for our blessing!

This is true also with your spiritual life. As the Spirit has been teaching me, I’m still learning to put my desires to death to the desires of the Father. Yes, even spiritual desires!

There are times when I desire gifts of the Holy Spirit, I make a conscious effort and try to correct myself and say, “Lord bless me with that gift in your time and for your purpose.” Because many times, we have our own selfish desires for our own selfish purposes.

When we end up having something we are not ready for, we subject ourselves to a fall. I want God to honour me in His due time so that when it comes, I will also be prepared and humble enough to receive it.

I once heard my friend quote A. W. Tozer, ‘God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work.’

Do not be discouraged if promotion does not immediately come your way.

Do not be discouraged if no one recognizes you immediately.

Do not be hurt if people don’t appreciate your ministry.

Do not sulk if all your dreams don’t come true instantly.

Hide yourself in God.

Do not forget that God anointed David for what was going to happen 14 years later. And after God anointed David as King, what followed were insults, attacks and prejudice. Yet he was in the centre of the will of God. God was fully preparing him for his throne.

Consider also Absalom who forcefully grabbed his father David’s throne before his time. With it came pride and with the pride came his fall.

Proverbs 20:24 says, ‘A man’s steps are directed by the LORD.’ It is interesting that those are the times that we attain our full spiritual maturity by going through the steps that God has ordained. Each of those steps are our experiences that make us stronger for where God is going to take us. Those steps are when we meet friends that help us reach where we have to reach. Those steps are places where we are moulded to God’s own character. Why then do we try to take the elevator?

Can you relate, dear DWOD friend? Please share your thoughts and experiences with the rest of us.

(Born in India and presently living in Montreal, Canada, Revivalist Shyju Matthew continues to demonstrate God’s mighty Word through the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in crusades and conferences all over the world. Please visit his website: http://revivenations.org/)