𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝗼𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝗺𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Contrary to some pentecostal and charismatic beliefs, acknowledging reality does not negate our faith. However, we must realize that at times, we won’t find truth in a circumstance.

When reality and truth don’t match, we don’t deny reality, but we 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝗼𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡.

Experience is a beautiful thing, but we must submit all our experiences to God. What does God say about it? That’s what matters. The truth is always in God’s heart on a matter.

Ignoring or denying reality is an unhealthy way to cope with a lie or unbelief we have. When what we say we believe doesn’t match what we see, we may deny what’s really happening to cope.

I’ve heard Romans 4:17 used by faith preachers and teachers to justify denying reality. The part of the scripture used is part b, where it says “…and calls things into being that do not exist.”

There are two things I want to note about that passage.

👆🏼First, context is extremely important. This verse doesn’t instruct us to do this. It’s telling us that Abraham had faith in the God who does.
✌🏼Second, there are times where God whispers for us to emulate His image and call something into existence, but what it 𝐝𝗼𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝗼𝐭 say is to ignore or deny those things that are in existence. It doesn’t say, call things that are as if they are not. It says call things that are not as if they are.

Our imagination has creative powers. However, denying reality is not creation. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝗼𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝗺𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝗺, 𝐧𝗼𝐭 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝗼𝐧𝐞.

There are times in our life where coping is necessary. I’ve been there. I get it. But coping only gets us so far. To live an abundant life filled with joy, peace, and love, healing is necessary.

Denying reality doesn’t heal. It not only delays and prolongs healing, but sometimes, it can make the wound worse. Just like the shoulder I injured last year and did nothing about until March. I’ll share about the lessons I learned from that another time.

My friend, don’t just cope. Don’t deny reality. Don’t use Bible verses as empty affirmations trying to convince yourself of something. If we have to put in effort to believe, then it’s not a belief. We can’t work our way into believing.

There are truths about God that you know. Maybe you don’t believe quite yet. That’s okay.

Stare reality in the face and tell it the truth. Then sit with God for a bit, place both hands on your heart, and pray something like this:

𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝐼 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 (𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎), 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ. 𝐼 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦. 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒. 𝐼𝑛 𝐽𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑠’ 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒. 𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑛.

May the red thread of God’s love become obviously clear in your life and current situation. God is with you always. Do you see Him?