Overcoming: Our Easter gift
By Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie
Copyright March 2024
Have you ever thought of how people in heaven see you — and how God sees you in situations? Fourteen years ago, I found myself in the middle of great loss and feeling weaker than I had ever felt in my life.
My view of the situation and being a relatively young widow was not positive, to say the least. It seemed to me all my dreams of what I thought life would be in this season were washed away. I realized if I continued seeing my life in a negative light, it would lead me down a path I really did not want to go down. So, I began to ask God how he, and the rest of heaven, saw me and my life.
He took me to I John 5:4 (NIV) which states, “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. Who is he who overcomes the world but he who believes Jesus is the son of God.”
That scripture states that, as children of God, overcoming power resides in us to overcome any situation we face.
Jesus overcame the grave and conquered death. He rose above his circumstances. The definition of overcoming is: To get the better of, to get the victory over.
I felt God say, “Kathleen, I see you as an overcomer. You have my power within you to overcome the heartache you feel. You have a God given right to get the better of this situation and make a profit from it.”
That was not exactly how I saw my situation, and I asked God to change my thinking to see myself as an overcomer. I knew that only God could heal my heart, and I also knew I had choices.
John 16:32 (INIV) says, “In the world you will have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.
The word for tribulation here is translated as pressure. Yes, this world brings plenty of pressure!
Jesus says we will have trouble in this world, but not to stress about it because His power in us will help us to make a profit from any trouble. God is too good to let us encounter problems without providing the provision for us. I have discovered that life is more about finding the provision in tribulation instead of fixing the problem.
I John 4:4 (NIV) says, “You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Nothing is greater than the power of God in us to overcome in any situation. You and I never have to settle for defeat. The power to overcome is more powerful than any force that comes against us! Now that is good news!
Jesus gave his all to his disciples. He loved when I’m sure he did not want to, but did out of obedience to God. Then some of them turned against him, complained, betrayed and help crucify him. He overcame the grave. He is an overcomer, and we are made in his image; therefore, overcoming power resides in us. Overcoming is God’s Easter gift to us and part of the new life he gives to us.
Sometimes our overcoming looks different and takes longer than we might think. Making a profit from a difficult situation is often seen in growth in our character. Who are we, and how do we show up when the cards are stacked against us?
A number of years ago, there was a rift in a relationship with a dear friend. I kept trusting God to heal the relationship and prayed that truth would come to heal the friendship. A few years ago, my friend came to me and began to share an experience they had encountered that opened their eyes. They now saw things differently and stated they admired my character and how I walked through the situation. The words were healing and my heart smiled at God’s goodness and overcoming power, Overcoming took much longer than I liked, but it finally came.
This Easter season is your new beginning to begin and walk in the overcoming power Jesus provides. Begin today by asking Jesus to come into your heart and ask him to open your eyes to the overcoming power that is in you.
If you know Christ, I challenge you to daily ask God to show you situations through his eyes. You are not a victim; you are an overcomer. Jesus overcame his adversity so you and I can overcome things that come against us.
Overcoming is God’s Easter gift to each of us-so let’s receive it and enjoy it!
Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. You can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. For more information, articles, her podcast or to purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” visit her website at www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com
