Our pastor has been speaking on the topic of Promotion lately. One of the points he made was that your responsibilities increase when you are promoted.

Did you know that you were promoted when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? Many people don't know this, so they continue to accept low-level living.

However, you were taken out of the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Light!

This Spiritual transfer was not a lateral move either. Scripture says that you have been promoted to a higher level:

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-7)."

Now that you recognize that you've been promoted, consider your responsibility. Actually, I like to think of responsibility as 2 words to enhance the meaning: Response ability.

Or can see it another way: Ability to respond.

Whatever the situation is, you now have access to Spiritual ability to see the details clearly, seek God's understanding, and then respond appropriately to it.

You don't hide your head under the covers and pretend that negative situations don't exist; rather, you have new courage to respond in a Godly manner with the Lord's help.

This Response ability can only grow when you use it, like a muscle.

Responding to situations is different than "reacting" to them. Many people take actions they regret later because they reacted to another person or situation out of negative emotions.

A reaction is quick, like a reflex; no thought is involved.

In fact, all addictions are reactions to an environmental, physical or emotional trigger. Consider the destruction of an allergic reaction on the human body!

However, a response is slower, thoughtful and considerate. You've considered the possibilities and take the action that will benefit others and yourself the most.

You make wise choices daily. You accept that some choices will be uncomfortable at times (especially ones that require you to say "No" to destructive impulses of your flesh).  

Yet, because you've taken time to consider the long-term reward of wiser choices, you are willing to accept any short-term discomfort.

Think about it as like crossing over a speed-bump on the way to Heaven.

Here's a question: If you promised a 7 year-old a trip to Disney World, but then told them they would have to cross some speed bumps along the way, do you think they would care?

I don't think so!

However, many adults fail to make choices that would benefit them long-term because they don't want to have to cross speed bumps!

Say this out loud when you consider the obstacles you face on the way to a goal: "It's just a speed bump." 

In the following article, I share 3 things I learned to increase my response ability. This is must-have information if want to start experiencing benefits from your Godly promotion.

Click here to learn how to use your Response Ability

Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,

Kimberly Taylor

takebackyourtemple.com