DO NOT FORCE PEOPLE INTO YOUR CONVICTION
I made a definitive decision on a vital ministry relationship. The day I mentioned it, she was greatly overjoyed. I had not seen that glow before. Later, she informed me that the Lord gave her a word about the situation and that relationship about three years earlier.
I asked her why she did not mention it. She said, “I did not want to force you into it by my conviction but I am glad you have gotten it also at last”. That decision is one of the finest ever in my life, our marriage and the ministry.
It took a lot of strength to wait patiently for three years for the Word she heard from the Lord to crystallize. In the end, it was worth it. What did she do while she waited? She prayed for me. She trusted the Lord for it. She held it like a pregnancy.
There are times you must allow the move of the Lord to go on a full cycle without you hijacking it. Why should you give it time?
First, it may not be the will of the Lord at all. For instance, Sarah hijacked a divine move by suggesting that Abram should sleep with Hagar so they could have a child through her. It became a generational error.
Second, it can be a test of your character. King Saul forced himself to make a sacrifice instead of waiting for Prophet Samuel. It was the beginning of many impatient moves. It cost him the kingship and eventually his life.
Faith comes by hearing. Thank God that you have heard but do you know that faith travels with patience also? It takes faith and patience to obtain the promise:
“We want you to be like those who, because of their faith and patience, will get what God has promised”
Hebrews 6:12 ERV
It is also important to state that forcing someone into your conviction can become a form of manipulation and control. Those two are ingredients of witchcraft.
Finally, when you hear it and know it, for you, it is faith. However for the person you forced, intimidated, or manipulated (maybe unknowingly) into it, it is not faith. It is a risk. When there is trouble, they will have no handle of faith to hold on to. Things will get slippery. You will regret that you forced them.
Be patient.
Trust the Lord.
Do not hijack the process.
temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa