Many of us are not willing to change, whatever may be doing harm to us until the consequences become severe, then we become willing to repent, pray, obey, etc. But does it have to be this way?
I have made over thirty trips overseas to other countries where I taught Pastor’s seminars, in Bible Schools, spoken at crusades, etc. and generally speaking, I have found people in third-world countries to be more open to God and the supernatural than most American Christians. I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about this as to why this may be. And one thing stands out to me. Desperation.
Many of us in the USA have almost everything that we need. If we feel sick there are doctors, hospitals, and medicines available. Food is readily available as is transportation. We may WANT some things that we do not have but most of our NEEDS are being met. God never said He would supply our wants but our needs. (Ps.23:1, Ps.34:9-10, Phil.4:19).
In many of the countries where I have been the needs of the people abound everywhere. And many times if someone gets sick, the nearest medical help maybe 20-100 miles away if you can find a way to get there! So, when they pray for healing, they realize if God does not help them, they are going to die. And they become desperate and pray with all the knowledge they have, with gusto, and faith. Many times for hours at a time! And sometimes the sick person does die. But sometimes great miracles of healing and deliverance do happen, and when it does, there are great, wonderful times of rejoicing and praising God for His goodness to them.
So, the question is, in the face of modern conveniences are we desperate enough to seek God and His promises and see His hand at work, or will we trust in what is available and disbelieve the Word of God? And for many of us Americans, that is a bigger challenge than some in foreign countries!