It's not what it looks like

Our youngest son, Kaleb, came to me today with a splinter deeply lodged under his fingernail. It was so far up there, I didn’t think I could get it out. And it was hurting him so badly, he shed tears.

I just felt awful.

What happened was, when Kaleb first got the splinter, he thought he could remove it with his hand. So he yanked it out. The only problem is, the tip of it broke off deep beneath the nail. When I saw his finger, I sighed. I wished he would have come to me first. I could have gently removed it in one piece with my special tweezers.

Daily Cup family, I thought we might have to take him to see his doctor to have the rest of the stick that was left stuck under his fingernail taken out. I honestly didn’t know how to access it. How was I supposed to get that far up?

The more time passed, the more Kaleb sniffled and cried. He was worried about whether or not his nail would get infected. He also wasn’t too keen on going to the doctor, because he doesn’t like shots.

As I saw the poor guy in distress, it became even harder for me to do nothing. Giving hugs and assurances that it would be okay didn’t seem so soothing in this instance. So I prayed for wisdom on how to approach this challenge. I washed my hands with some antibacterial soap. I sterilized my tweezers, nail clippers, needle, and razor blade, and went to work.

I clipped as much of the nail off as possible with Kaleb’s help. He pressed down on the sore finger and created greater separation between the nail and skin. That helped me slide my clipper under his nail at an angle.

I then began shaving the nail down little by little with the razor. We were working together to perform minor surgery!

I kept on praying and working. After a little while, I could see the tip of the wood sticking out. I had shaved enough of his nail down to access it.

Thank God, it came right out! I was so relieved and happy to see Kaleb’s bright smile after it was over. He hugged me tightly and thanked me over and over again. I felt like a million bucks. I love being able to ease the Hobbs children’s pain. There isn’t anything I won’t do for them.

I’m glad I didn’t give up. That splinter looked like it would be impossible to remove, but it wasn’t what it looked like.

It wasn’t what it looked like in the story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:8-37 either. Remember when her son became suddenly ill and died and she couldn’t revive him? To anyone on the outside looking in, it appeared that it was over; she and her husband would need to plan the boy’s funeral.

But that wasn’t the case.

In verse 23, this fearless, faith-filled woman made her way to find the prophet. When her husband asked why she was looking for the man of God, she did not answer her spouse in a panic. She was not hysterical. She did not shed tears. She did not state the obvious, that the boy had died. She expected a miracle. So she told her husband in the middle of a negative crisis, “It is well.”

Wow.

What great faith, right?

No matter how many times I read her story, hear it preached, or write about it, I am no less amazed by the Shunammite woman’s response. She declared that it was already alright during a serious shakeup in her world.

And you know what God did?

He honored her faith and used Elisha to perform the miracle of returning the boy back to his previously healthy state.

Speak the word over your situation. Decree and declare that it's turning around in your favor. It is so!

I believe with all my heart that God sent you to this blog today to tell you to take cues from her reaction during whatever test you’re presently going through. Speak His promises over your problems. Don’t mistake the appearance of the situation for the reality of it. God is up to something. He is going to turn this negative situation around. The outcome will amaze you and He’s doing it all for His glory.

It may look bad right now, just as it did for the disciples in Luke 8:22-25. Do you recall the story of how Jesus told them “Let us go over to the other side of the lake”? When Jesus went to sleep, the disciples ran into a storm.  Billowing waves were crashing down on them, filling their vessel with water.

They lost it. They were terrified and feared that death was imminent.

It sure did appear that way, so the disciples gave into fear. They woke Jesus up with panicked pleas, crying out, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

The Shunammite woman and the disciples were polar opposites.

She declared in crisis, “It is well.” They declared, “We’re going to drown!” The woman understood that it wasn’t what it looked like. The disciples let their circumstances, not their faith, dictate their response.

But when Jesus got up, He rebuked the wind and raging waters. Just like that, the storm subsided. Everything was calm. And the Savior asked a question: “Where is your faith?”

Friend, when you are confronted with life-threatening, intimidating, difficult, negative realities, know that, as long as Jesus is on board, the winds and waves won’t overtake you. Your boat won’t capsize. The Lord will uphold you, preserve you, and work it out in your favor.

Today, you might be face-to-face with obstacles that look insurmountable. But it’s not what it looks like. You won’t be defeated. You will not lose. You won’t be overtaken, for the Lord is on your side. And if He is for you, He is more than the whole world against you!

In Matthew 19:26 NIV, which is the scriptural reminder I’m stirring into your current cup of inspiration, Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, though this may look impossible, declare that, it’s not what it looks like, because all things are possible with God.

Believe that He’s going to fix it.

Believe it will work out for your good.

Believe that it is well.

Believing He will heal your body the way He healed mine, after doctors gave up on me. I know firsthand it wasn’t what it looked like. God had a masterful plan to bring me out, which I talk about in my new book, God Did It. Get your copy.

Believe God will save your loved one.

Believe He will restore your broken relationship.

Believe He will make provision for every need.

Believe.

It is possible.

Finally, declare by faith, it is done.

Now let’s pray.

God, I am being confronted with a struggle I don’t know how to overcome. Please help me not to succumb to fear of my negative circumstances, but rather, help me place my faith and full confidence in Your power. Despite what I see, I declare the words of the Shunammite woman: “It is well.” Thank You Lord. I believe You have already turned it around for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!

If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with you. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.