How We Call Things That Are Not As Though They Were
When God says something about your identity or His destiny for your life, it’s a done deal. This is what it means to call things that are not as though they were, or as another translation puts it – He calls into existence the things that do not exist as though they do (Romans 4:17).
How this Blog Is An Example to Call Things That Are Not As Though They Were
This blog is an example of God calling things that are not as though they were.
In May 2014, during a time of private worship, God told me to start a blog. The crazy part is I didn’t feel I could write or even like to write. Writing was a chore. But I believed Him and was overjoyed and wrote it down in my journal. I had periodic doubts for a while if I really heard correctly, but God annihilated those doubts at a ladies conference about a year later.
During one of the breaks, I talked with a friend about the blog. The next session started and within 10 minutes, the speaker said, “you don’t feel you can write, but God’s calling you to write that blog anyway.” My friend and I looked at each other with minds blown – we knew that was God. Then about 10 minutes later, the teacher said it again, “you don’t feel you can write, but God’s calling you to start that blog anyway.”
Talk about stoked! I was greatly encouraged that I heard God and my doubt disappeared.
But it wasn’t time. I had many false starts. Partly it wasn’t God’s timing and partly I needed more growth, heart healing, and mind renewal before I was ready.
My circumstances looked completely opposite for years. Even in spite of the confirmation God gave me at that ladies conference, I had moments of doubt, but overall, I persevered and kept fighting the good fight.
How I Partnered With God To Call This Thing That Was Not As Though It Were
I fed on the truth that He’s a promise-keeping God. I stood on His Word and periodically reviewed my journal entry about the blog as well as other prophetic words which aligned with this call. One such scripture is below.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He spoke and it came to be; He commanded and it stood firm. Psalm 33:6, 9
Another translation says He spoke and it was done.
I strengthened myself in the Lord using this verse – that when He says something, it’s done.
I love this quote from Bill Johnson – it captures the power of prophetic words beautifully (from Strengthen Yourself in the Lord). This is another tool I’ve used to strengthen myself.
Whenever God speaks to us, His prophetic anointing is released in what He says. That word may come to you through another person, an anointed prayer that is being prayed over you, a passage of scripture that leapt out at you as you read, a dream or vision or by the still, small voice of the Spirit in your inner man. That anointing doesn’t just tell you what will be; it’s creating what will be.
How We Call Things That are Not As Though They Are
When He says something, it’s a done deal. Our part is to partner with Him in allowing Him to refine and purify us, in the waiting, with preparation, by fighting the good fight for those words to come to pass, and abiding in Him. We must cooperate (co-operate: act jointly, work together) with Him through faith and action.
Refine and Purify
This is the sanctification process. This is taking our thoughts captive, guarding our heart, renewing our mind and heart healing. I feel this also includes being stripped of our selfish ambition and pride. We can have a clear call from God, but sometimes selfish ambition can get into the mix so God has to expose and uproot it.
Waiting
This has been the hardest part for me. I’ve been waiting for 12 years for the fulfillment of some of my prophetic words. I’ve gotten frustrated, disappointed, and felt hurt at times, but I’ve brought those negative thoughts and emotions to the Lord and gotten my heart right so I could continue to fight the good fight for my prophetic words (I Timothy 1:18).
It’s an exercise in faith to wait. It’s trusting God and His timing and that His words are really true because if He said it, it’s a done deal.
God has met me in these times of waiting. Recently, it was with this song – Take Courage. Especially the part – He’s in the waiting, He’s in the waiting.
Preparation
The sanctification process and waiting are part of preparation as are many other things that are unique to each of us. But I’ll share some examples of other ways to prepare.
Perhaps God has called you a speaker. You could…
- Study speakers you admire.
- Read a book on speaking.
- Start writing messages as if you’re already speaking and save them for future use.
Fight The Good Fight With Our Words
We fight using our prophetic words, or as another translation puts it, wage the good warfare.
This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight. I Timothy 1:18
When we doubt, lies come against us, or our circumstances scream the opposite of those words, we fight with those very words. This is one of the primary ways we call things that are not as though they were.
Continuing on with the above example of being called to speak, you could write an identity statement using what God says about you and declare it out loud every morning, or even multiple times a day. You can also use this statement to come against the doubt and lies. Examples below.
- Daily identity statement
I am a speaker, called to speak on stages to bring the kingdom into places that have never heard the voice of God.
- When in doubt or combatting lies
God says I am a speaker, called to speak on stages to bring the kingdom into places that have never heard the voice of God. Even though things look and feel the opposite right now, I’m standing on what God says. When God says something, it’s a done deal. He’s a promise-keeping, covenant-keeping God.
Abiding in Him
Abiding means to stay, remain, dwell in Jesus; rest in Him. This is staying connected to Jesus, the Vine.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
This is intimacy. Where we connect Heart to heart and Spirit to spirit with Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. We cultivate this in our quiet times with Him each day, by praying throughout our day (pray without ceasing), worshipping, time in the Word, worship dancing, keeping our eyes on Him, and depending on Him for everything.
Time in the Word can be reading, studying or meditating. All are important. I’ve found that a combination of meditating and studying the Word is the most transformational time for me. I love to look up the original language and meditate on the words. When I do, He reveals more of HImself and His truths to me which takes me into encountering Him = intimacy.
When God says something about you, it’s a done deal. You can use those very words to call things that are not as though they were. It’ll be a journey and a process, but it’s so worth the fight for the fulfillment you’ll experience and the lives you’ll impact.
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If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy these posts from michelletwilson.com:
Do You Know Your Identity and How to Fight With It?
