Seeing Jesus

Move That Mountain!

David CerulloBy David Cerullo9 Minutes

3 Keys for Transforming Frustration into Faith

Have you ever felt like you were banging your head against a brick wall or locked door? Perhaps you experienced frustration when some need in your life seemed to go unmet or long-standing prayers went unanswered. Maybe you dealt with some issue in your health, finances, or family that made you feel “stuck” unable to find a solution.

It’s possible you’re still feeling this frustration in some area of your life today. There’s a mountain standing in your way, and it won’t seem to budge, no matter what you do.

Friend, I have a message today that will help you. As I pray, I see you standing in front of a huge door with a key chain in your hand. You’ve already tried many of the keys, but without success in opening the door.

But right when you’re about to give up, the Lord hands you three keys you haven’t tried yet. The keys are old and rusty, signifying that they haven’t been used for a while.

You find that each of the keys fits the lock but it’s only when you use them together that the tumblers turn. Suddenly, with little effort compared to what you’ve tried in the past, the door swings open wide. Access granted to God’s presence and the exact breakthrough you need!

So what are these 3 powerful keys, so often neglected when our pathway is blocked by closed doors and formidable mountains? As I’ve prayed about this, I believe each of these keys happens to start with the letter “P.”

Praise

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States this month, we need to remember that gratitude is not just a great opportunity to gather with loved ones and stuff ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie. The psalmist reminds us that thankfulness and praise are powerful keys into the very gates of the Lord:

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name (Psalm 100:4).

Take a moment to let these words sink in. If you’ve wondered why the gateway to some new opportunity hasn’t opened for you yet, it’s time to start praising God and giving Him thanks!

I meet many people who tell me they will gladly praise the Lord when they receive their breakthrough but they are missing an important point:

  • King Jehoshaphat sent out the worshipers ahead of the army and won a resounding victory (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).
    Paul and Silas started praising God at midnight after being severely beaten and chained to a prison wall. Their worship resulted in an earthquake that broke every chain and set them free (Acts 16:25-34).
  • Paul said when we make our petitions to God with thanksgiving even before the answer comes, we’ll experience “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7).
    If you are facing frustration in some part of your life today, this first key is critical to your breakthrough. Stop whatever else you’re doing, and enter into God’s presence with praise and thanksgiving!

Persist

For most of our forefathers, persistence was a way of life. They didn’t know anything else. Without perseverance, they were keenly aware that they would never survive life’s challenges.

However, things are so much different today. Many people grow up feeling entitled to a fairly easy life. Instead of developing persistence and tenacity, our culture opts for microwave ovens and drive-through lines at fast-food restaurants. Whatever happened to character traits like patience and delayed gratification?

Jesus taught that God answers prayer. But He never said the breakthroughs would always be quick or easy. In fact, He warned that the opposite would be more likely.

The Amplified Bible brings this out well:

Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).

You see, although your Heavenly Father loves you and wants to meet your needs, He’s not your personal genie, ready to grant your requests as soon as you snap your fingers. He says your season of blessing will surely come, but then adds that you must not “lose heart” as you wait (Galatians 6:9).

I love Jesus’ story in Luke 18:1-8 about the persistent widow and the unjust judge. Of course, God is nothing like this stubborn judge. But Jesus used that stark image to demonstrate that our perseverance in prayer can win the day, despite any delays or obstacles.

If you’ve been waiting a long time for some prayer to be answered, I understand your frustration. But don’t give up, my friend! Persistence may be exactly the key you need right now.

Plant

Recently I’ve been looking again at an often-quoted promise from Jesus:

Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20).

What is the Master saying to us here? First, notice that we all face “mountains” in our lives at times seemingly immovable obstacles blocking us from the abundant life God wants us to experience. So if you’re facing one of those mountains today, know that you’re not alone!

But what does a “mustard seed” of faith have to do with moving a mountain that’s standing in our way? Surely a tiny seed is no match for a massive mountain!

Yet this points to the crux of Jesus’ message here, with two important points:

Your SEED doesn’t have to be bigger than the mountain, because your GOD is always bigger than the mountain. But in order for your seed to be effective, it has to be activated through some step of FAITH.

In another passage, Jesus taught that a mustard seed, when planted, always GROWS (Mark 4:30-32). Instead of complaining that your faith isn’t big enough, go ahead and put your “little” faith to work and watch it grow! Speak to your mountain as the Lord instructed you.

Doing the Impossible

Jesus ended Matthew 17:20 with a stunning promise for those who learn how to activate their mustard seed of faith: “NOTHING will be impossible for you.”

That’s wonderful news, isn’t it? Whether you’re facing an impassable mountain or locked door, you’ll find victory when you put your faith to work.

And while you plant your seed of faith, don’t forget the other keys too. Praise the Lord in advance for your breakthrough, then persist until your prayer is answered.

I am praying for you!

God bless you,
David Sig

David Cerullo