Override Mode
What does it mean to override something? One definition is to use one’s authority to reject or cancel a decision or view. Override mode is a mode of faith that is accessible to you as a child of God to override feelings, circumstances, and even people who are a hindrance to your faith! When you are going through stuff—when you feel discouraged—when people try to drag you down— simply slip into override!
In Acts 28 the Apostle Paul had just gone through some stuff. He just survived a horrible shipwreck, when he finds himself around a campfire on the island of Malta on the way to Rome. Paul, trying to make the best of the situation, is helping out with a fire when a viper appears from the wood and latches onto him. All of the islanders see what is happening and assume that Paul is cursed and will surely die. Paul, without hesitation, shakes the viper off of his arm and is completely unharmed! The onlookers who thought he was cursed just a few minutes prior, now have an attentive ear to the gospel Paul preaches. The very situation that appeared as bad luck, or a cursed life, Paul—through faith—overrode the circumstances and saw God’s glory on display! Paul’s ability to “shake off” the very thing that wanted to kill him caused him to enter into override mode. He, through faith, shifted into a mode where nothing could stop the plan of God from advancing in his life. By this point in Paul’s journey, he was probably tired and frustrated in the flesh. He just wanted to get to Rome to fulfill God’s plan. Here he was in yet another trial.
Do you ever feel like Paul? You are pursuing God’s plan and it feels like set setback after setback? How do you stay full of faith and courage when it seems like all of hell is opposing you? Paul learned to operate in a mode where his faith overrode every feeling and emotion that would distract and discourage him from God’s plan. Maybe you’re reading this today and there are some things that you need to “shake off” or hit the override button on. Here’s how Paul did it and how you can do it too!
1) Override your emotions. Emotions are a dangerous thing. Emotions aren’t all bad—God made you with emotions. Even though you have emotions, as a Christian, you are not made to be led by how you feel. In fact, the Bible reminds us that our hearts are deceiving among all things. You are a spirit, housed in a body, with a mind will, and emotions. Your spirit man should do the leading, and your emotions should submit to Christ in you. This means that you are not subject solely to what you feel. I’m sure Paul didn’t feel like building a fire or encountering a snake, and I’m sure he didn’t feel like being shipwrecked on the island of Malta. He overcame his feelings through faith. The psalmist David also practiced this mode of overriding his feelings. In a melancholy moment (which we are all prone to encounter) David speaks to his soul,” Why my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me Put your hope in God, for I will praise Him.” David overrides the temptation to be discouraged and depressed and commands his soul to praise the Lord. You don’t have to ignore your emotions, but you can decide if you are going to allow them to ruin your day, take you out of peace, and rob your joy!
2) Override the natural circumstances. I’m not suggesting you live in fantasy land, you may not have control over your circumstances but you always have control over your response. In John 20 Jesus encounters Mary at the tomb. Mary is distraught because of her circumstances— after all, Jesus was crucified and is now missing. Mary had every reason to be shaken by what was going on. Jesus—seemingly uncompassionate, asks her “Woman, why are you crying?” Isn’t it obvious? What Jesus was really saying was- if you saw things from my perspective of faith, you would be rejoicing instead of being distraught. Isn’t that what our natural circumstances try to do? They try to suck the faith from us to the point of disparity. Jesus brought a perspective of hope to Mary—and He is speaking that to you today. Despite your natural circumstances, Hebrews states, the hope we have in Jesus is an anchor for our soul!
3) Override opinions of man. Paul was sitting around a fire with people who were judging his relationship with God over a snake biting him. Are there people sitting around judging your Christianity or waiting for you to throw in the towel? Override their opinions! People are fickle. In Galatians 1:10 Paul asks, “For am I seeking the approval of man or God? Am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man I would not be a servant of Christ.” It is time to disregard what others think or if they approve of what God has instructed you. Keep your eyes on Jesus, He is the only voice you need to heed and the one whose approval counts. He is the author and perfector of your faith.