While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18

The truth about manifestation is – “when God speaks it, it is there.” We, however, have to go through the faith process to bring it from the spiritual into the natural where we “see” it. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). For the most part, we give up too early in the process when we become uncomfortable or feel stretched. We usually do not even make it to the stage where the turn-up gets really real. Do you recall the three Hebrew boys? Before they were thrown into the fiery furnace, the king turned the temperature up: “He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual.” (Daniel 3:19b). We very seldom make it to that point, because we give up; we faint; we throw in the towel.

Another truth about manifestation is – “distress precedes manifestation.” Most of us have heard the analogy of giving birth naturally and spiritually. Pregnancy instantly occurs when the seed and sperm meet – the baby begins there. The woman is not even aware of it, but the baby is there. Eventually, the woman knows because she begins to feel and see evidence of the pregnancy. She becomes uncomfortable, her body starts stretching to accommodate the seed that is growing inside of her.

Finally, it’s manifestation time! She goes into labor. The turn-up gets real. The entire discomfort of the pregnancy – sleepless nights; carrying extra weight; swollen feet; exhaustion – cannot be compared to the labor pains. During the most intense time of labor, she cannot give up; she has to push. She has to push through the pain so that she can manifest what she has been waiting for. At the point of birth, what started as a seed is manifested – the baby is delivered. She can now see what started in the unseen realm.

If you have been feeling uncomfortable and stretched; if it seems as though the gates of hell are trying to prevail against you – Jesus promised that they cannot prevail against you (Matthew 16:18) – rejoice! It’s manifestation time! It is time for you to see what you have been praying and believing for. This is not the time to quit. This is the time to push through. Do not stop planting seeds; do not stop doing good; do not stop doing what is right; do not back up; keep pressing in. Press towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 3:14).

We have to let the enemy know, just as the three Hebrew boys did, that we are not concerned with how hot the furnace gets because our God is able to deliver us! “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us.” (Daniel 3:17). Just as they were delivered out of the fiery furnace, so shall we also be delivered and God will be glorified by those that see us come out. “They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” (Daniel 3:27). It is not about the fiery furnace, nor is it about the distress and discomfort; it is about manifesting the glory of God in our lives!

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.  1 Peter 4:12-13