Both believers and nonbelievers often approach life and Christianity with misconceptions. Many see Christianity as a magical solution to all of life’s problems. For instance, I once held the idea or emotional response that having Jesus meant I should not experience adversity or depression, especially if I was serving Him. However, this belief contradicts what scripture teaches. In fact, every follower of the God of the Bible, including Jesus Himself, faced persecution and various trials.

Just as persecution is a recurring theme in scripture, so are warnings. When we take time to align with the Spirit, to become still and receptive enough to hear from God, He not only provides us with the resources we need for the challenges we encounter but also warns us in advance.

The other day, while reading a commentary on the book of Daniel, the Holy Spirit emphasized “warnings” to me, but I initially disregarded the message. It wasn’t until later, when I was feeling overwhelmed, that I decided to listen to God, and I was reminded that I had been forewarned about an impending spiritual attack, with instructions to fast and pray. Remarkably, I experienced a spiritual attack that I had been prepared for.

Furthermore, I was reading Hosea chapter 1, where God instructs Hosea to marry an adulterous woman who would betray him. (This instruction carries a parallel to God’s relationship with His people, requiring a deeper understanding of the context.) Hosea received a prior warning about his future wife’s actions and the pain she would cause him, yet he obeyed God and continued to love her. How many of us would have done the same?

So, I have a few questions for you today: What is your perspective on Christianity? Are you attuned to the Spirit of God and His infinite wisdom to heed the warnings and instructions for your life? Are you willing to be obedient?

Reading: Hosea 1