Flip the Script

I attended a conference some months back called “Flip the Script." I thought it was quite an interesting thought and decided to peruse the subject a little more. This is what I found; there were many definitions of the term "flip the script" According to the U.S dictionary, to flip the script is to “reverse the usual or existing positions in a situation; do something unexpected or revolutionary.” I liked it! I immediately started to think how God has flipped the script on the devil in my life time and time again. When the enemy thinks he has me down, bound, boxed in, subdued, Jesus steps in and sets me free, breathes on me, and turns me loose! God is always turning situations around for my good, even those situations the enemy meant for evil.

There are some things in your life you have been dissatisfied with for a long time. Perhaps up until now, all you have done is complain about it, or make some half-hearted attempts at change. You may even have given up and decided to live with it. Perhaps you have not succeeded in your attempts because you try to do it by yourself. Jesus said categorically “Apart from me you can do nothing!” (John 15:5).

The start of a new year is a good time to flip the script in your life and change the narrative of your story. A lot of people make new year resolutions to effect changes in their lives. Few weeks into the new year, and they are back where they started. God spoke through the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah, “Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin? Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you have always done evil” (Jeremiah 13:23). New year resolutions are good when we realize that the power to change comes from God.

There was a man in the Bible whose name was Jabez. His mother named him out of the experiences that surrounded his birth, as many did in her day. Childbirth is naturally painful, but his birth was a particularly unpleasant and sorrowful experience for the mother. Most women would look at their baby and forget every pain that preceded the joy of holding the baby in their arms. This mother refused to let go of her pain; she clutched on to sorrow instead of joy. Jabez's mother had a place of authority over her son, so she decided to name him Jabez (which means pain, sorrow) as a constant reminder of her bitter experience. 

Everywhere Jabez went he brought pain, his life was filled with sorrow through no fault of his. There came a day when Jabez decided he had had enough! He determined to flip the script. Jabez realized that he needed supernatural help from God to change his circumstances. He sought audience with the God who rules over the affairs of men and requested for a turn around in his situation.

 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:9 -10).

Like Jabez, you may have found yourself in a bad situation because some authority figure in your life misused their authority and projected their pain or confusion to you. Or perhaps you brought pain and sorrow upon yourself with your own hands. You have the power through Jesus to flip that script and change your story today. Jabez started with pain but ended up as an honorable man, more honorable than his brethren! Why not cry out to God today like Jabez did?

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)."