“Just before they entered the Promised Land, the Lord told the Israelites that He would drive out their enemies before them little by little lest “the beasts of the field” increase among them…
I believe pride is the “beast” that will consume us if we receive too much freedom too quickly. It is actually better to be set at liberty in one area at a time. That way, we appreciate our freedom more; we realize it is truly a gift from God and not something we can make happen in our own strength.” from Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind
(Joyce Meyer, 35)
Joyce Meyer’s explanation of the “beast” of Deut. 7:22 is so insightful and so true. I know becuase I’ve experienced what happens when victories come to quickly. Pride does in fact, creep in and consume. I remember having a big head, and thinking I was special; invincible even – that I had made those victories happen. That was so dangerous – I had let all that hot air carry me off and I forgot that everything I had – EVERYTHING – was God-given. Then one day, God stuck a pin in my hot air balloon and I suddenly began crashing down to earth – to reality.
When I moved to GA, I felt like I was on top of the world. I had just graduated from college at the top of my class and had snagged a rare job opportunity. Out of thousands of applicants, I was one of the 44 who made it. I felt like I could do anything.
Then on my very first day, after months of additional training, I stepped into the classroom alone for the first time. As I looked around at a room of students bustling with rebellious energy, came the most startling truth – I was totally unprepared. My quiet and gentle approach was no match for these boisterous youngsters. I couldn’t keep them seated, let alone do any portion of any kind of lesson. I remember thinking, What on earth have I gotten myself into?
The entire experience was humbling. Everyday, I was pushed to such an extreme that I truly believe was at the absolute brink of what even God thought was the limit of what I could bear. Just that quickly, my whole world had changed from believing I could do anything to feelling like a complete failure. Pride had turned into discouragement and doubt.
But little by little…
God worked a change in me that never would have been possible had I not gone throught that grueling test.
I eventually had to face the fact that, that particular job wasn’t right for me, but God’s grace reminds me everyday that I needed that experience so that I could remember that everything I ever had was a gift from Him. He had already given me so many gifts and showed me far more favor than I ever deserved. I needed that slap in the face to release that beast of pride from within me once and for all.
I now understand the purpose for the delay in God’s answer to my requests. Little by little, He blesses me with pieces to remind me that it is by His power only – in His time only that I will receive what He has promised. Honestly speaking, I’d rather it be His way than mine, because what God gives – no one can take away. I thank God for the little by little.
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Kiesha holds a Master of Arts in English, is a writing instructor and blog consultant.
