My tooth wouldn’t stop throbbing. It was swollen at the gums. An infection had hit the root. And now, it had been a year of enduring the pain, while visiting a specialist for treatments and such.
I needed a God-intervention.
At church one day, I knew I needed prayer. I approached a woman to pray after church. I stood before her with great expectation. God can help this situation. But instead of praying, she gave me a long-winded testimony of a person who had a tooth infection just like mine that spread to their brain.
I went for prayer; I left with fear — and a heart thumping.
Her negative testimony outflowing zapped my faith for a positive testimony forthcoming.
Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever come to someone with faith, but left with fear? Have you ever approached someone for hope, and left with a heavy bag of advice?
For me, post meeting with this woman, I had to decide, “Her story is not my story.” I had to separate her negative faith for the situation from my story, so that I could hope again.
We must not only be careful of the songs we hear or the movies that we watch, but also the words of doubt and discouragement we hear from others.
“But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7)
What is the practical wisdom in this?
1. Be wise about who you share your problems with. If they are a doubter, a discourager or a person who loves to share advice, find a new person to pray for you.
2. Be strong to stop negative people. Just because they have a story doesn’t mean you are obligated to listen. When this woman shared her negative story with me, I stopped her. I told her I really just wanted prayer.
3. Ask God: Has my faith been depleted because of people’s discouraging words? Perhaps, say, “I come out of agreement that what happened to them, will happen to me.” Acknowledge that it is fear.
Many people create theologies around fear. Because God didn’t show up for them, they figure God won’t show up for others.
“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Tim. 3:5 NLT)
We should not hang out with people denying God’s power or faith for it, but we should adjust course to be near “believers”. That’s what we are called, right? Believers.
So, let’s believe. And, when others come to us for prayer? Let’s believe with them, too!
And, regarding my tooth? I never got a brain infection. I did get a tooth removed in the back of my lower left jaw. The pain is gone (Praise God!). Pray that God gives me great wisdom on if I should do an implant or not. I believe He will — and I believe you are believing with me!
Prayer: Father, give us wisdom on what we hear. Give us wisdom with those we share with. Not everyone should know everything about us. Also, Father? Show us where we have dumbed down faith because of other people’s negative testimony. Help us to remember: their story is not our story. We have no idea the background or what You were doing with them. Help us to believe boldly. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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