Really, what DO you have faith in? When you go to sit in a chair do you stop to think about if it will hold you? (no jokes here) You get in your car and turn the key, you don't stop to wonder if it will start. You set your alarm and you don't stay up all night worried about if it will go off. You plug in a lamp, no worries about if the electricity will work. There are so many things that we have faith in. We don't fret about them. It is just known, believed in, taken for granted that it will be as it always has been.
I've been thinking about my faith. Real faith. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. I think that describes a lot of those examples above. We are sure of those things happening even though we don't see how they work. How can I have such faith in those things and then question God. Will He come through? Does He really understand what I am praying? Maybe I should just keep control over this situation because I'm not sure I fully trust God. Are you kidding? What is my problem! When I fret and worry and hold on...I have no faith. I don't trust Him.
Has there ever been a day when God forgot to tell the sun to rise? Has there ever been a day when God said He was taking the day off and would not be hearing your prayers that day? Do you remember any verses in the Bible that say there are certain situations that He just cannot handle? Has He ever, even once, really needed YOUR help to solve a problem?
It sounds ridiculous. But I know it's the way I behave and I bet it's the way some of you behave also. Let me just hold onto this one situation and worry about it. Let me keep fretting and controlling....God has too many other things to worry about.
When I pray, I want to pray in faith. Not that God will answer my prayer in the affirmative. But faith, real faith, that He is listening, that He cares, that He loves, that He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The same God who parted the Red Sea - that is the God I am talking with, praying to.
Lord, keep growing my faith. After all these years, I still have a long way to go. I want to be a person who takes you at your word. One who places everything into your hands and trusts you completely! I want to be certain of what I hope for. What I hope for is a closer walk with you, less fear, security in your love and to be used by you for your purposes not mine.
Faith...what do you have faith in today?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
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28 comments:
Great post as usual, Sheryl! I remember hearing "God said it, I believe it, and that's good enough for me" when I was younger. I've tried to keep my faith very childlike by thinking along those lines. Just BELIEVING God that He is Who He says He is and that He will do what He said He will do!
Hope you are feeling well today and enjoying the Lord's blessings.
Wow Sheryl! Amazing post! God is really working through you in an astounding way. Hope you have a wonderful day!!
Sheryl,
Why is it we think we can handle things better than God? You would think we would have learned by now.
Great words to ponder!
Love,
Cheryl
Good words Sheryl! Faith is one of the hardest things to master because of our fleshly nature!! I am encouraged through your words to remain faithful and let God take control.
Love ya girl,
Kim
Our God is an Awesome God
He reigns from Heaven above,
With wisdom, power and love...
Our God is an Awesome God!!!
Preach On, Sister
what a beautiful post, and a wonderful way of thinking about it. this has absolutely encouraged me today, thank you!!!!!
So beautifully said Sheryl – the truth is we put our faith in God after all other options have been exhausted and then said ‘now Lord –I don’t know what else to do–my eyes are on you. I am learning to let Him be the first that I put my faith and my hope in especially when I cannot make sense of life and what it brings my way.
He's probably whispering ‘trust me –child – trust me. Thank you for your uplifting words.
Oh Sheryl,
I am going to have to stop reading your words at work. Tears, tears, and more tears. You are so wise and so in tune with this "want to help God a little" Siesta. I truly love you and praise God that He
is using you to speak to so many in such a powerful way.
May your trip tonight be all that you hope it will be.
Praying Hard, LINDA
Sheryl,
I was reading a blog today by John Paul Jackson. He was talking about transition. I found myself in that blog. I thought of you as I know that your health is keeping you at home as did mine. I pray that you are able to embrace this time that the Lord has ordained to grow in him and to transition into the person that he has created you to be and ultimately to reach your destiny here on earth.
I love your post for today. Over this last year the Lord really has been teaching me about faith also. He's been teaching me not to live in fear but in faith. That is so important. I am still on this journey toward faith. I am praying that the Lord reveals to me the fears that I still have so that I can demolish them with his blood and be free at last!
Please find comfort in knowing that I do completely understand what it means to be at home 24/7. This has been my life for the last year. I pray that you can embrace this time with the Lord as I have found that there has been nothing more precious in my life than this last year of growth and transition. I love my Jesus and trust my Jesus more than I ever have in my life. I also feel and sense his love for me at a so much deeper level than I did before.
If you would like to read John Paul's blog it is: www.streamsministries.com. Just click on "Coffe Talk." You might like to look around Streams website also. I have found John Paul to be a great encouragement to me during this last year. John Paul has mentioned before that the longer the trial the greater the influence your life will have on the other side of this trial (transition). It sounds as if you're are surrending your heart to Jesus and letting him mold and shape you. I am so glad that I did do that also as I sure do not want to learn these "lessions" all over again.
Praying for you,
Nicole
Sheryl,
I also wanted to tell you that the Lord gave me Psalms 37 during this time as something to hold onto. I love the verse that talks about the Lord bringing justice to my situation. He is a just God and he will do this. I posted this Psalm to my blog yesterday. I pray that is is an encouragement for you as it has been for me!
Blessings,
Nicole
PS-Sorry about the long posts. I have had a lot on my heart today.
Sheryl,
These are beautiful words. I think Andrew Wommack preached/taught on faith on his tv program. Can't remember. It is so true we have not just faith but an automatic, natural faith to believe in the things you mentioned: chair, lights, etc. Why is it so hard to have faith in the unseen even though He is the Mighty of Mighties.
Your faith is growing, friend, and it is a blessing and an encouragement to us all.
You are and have been in my prayers...your health and your marriage.
I love what Nicole said about John Paul. I've not read any of his stuff but she has told me about his "I Am" book.
I love this:
"John Paul has mentioned before that the longer the trial the greater the influence your life will have on the other side of this trial (transition)."
Just today I had mentioned on a blog of not understanding why it's been a year and I've "seen" nothing in regards to my marriage nor my house selling. I trust Him but I don't understand. In this same blog comment, I quoted Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Trusting though not understanding.
Paula
I have had my seasons of asking these same questions. I float in and out of them, even though I've loved Jesus my entire life. I know He's real, but trusting him to be real and present in the full picture is often my struggle.
Thanks for sharing.
peace~elaine
Sheryl,
I just wanted to stop by and tell you that I have read your comments on my blog and hear your heart. You have a beautiful smile and God is clearly working in your life. Trust Him to go before you on this journey, even when it is unknown to you. It isn't to Him, my friend.
Oh, and by the way. I read in your profile that you are wading through a "new normal" in your life. Have you by chance read Carol Kent's book, A New Kind of Normal? If not, it's a must read for you, my friend. Her first book, When I Lay My Isaac Down, is also incredibly powerful and may speak to your heart.
Much love,
Lisa :)
What a great post! Thank you!
Hi Sheryl,
One thing about Faith for me is trusting God even in the midst of the Why's. Faith that he is control.
Faith knowing that when I don't know what tomorrow holds, he is already there waiting for me and refills my faith to get me through another day.
Hugz Lorie
I have always had this little saying that I would say when things got tough..."God will work it out". And you know what? He does. I might not always see immediate results, but He is always working on me and in my life. For that I am very thankful.
God has things under control. That is what I remind myself when I feel doubts creeping in. He has it all under control.
Denise in Texas
AWESOME and TRUTH! Lord, help us to surrender and walk in MORE faith!
Love,
Yolanda
As always, i've been blessed as I've stopped by for a visit today.
Just like you are thinking about "Faith", I too have been pondering faith....as I'm praying about needing to "surrender"...for I can only truly surrender, as I put my faith in him.
Be blessed today......you've sure blessed me.
Kim~
Great post Sheryl,
I have faith in God and His strength. I know He will make a way, when I can't
So often I tell my children who have fears (I remind myself too) that where there is fear there's no faith.
Blessings, Joanne
Thank you for this great reminder. I think this is something we all tend to do, but the Lord is the ONLY real thing that is steady and certain in this life, and He can overcome even Death (and taxes!)
Sheryl,
Thank you for your post. It always spurns me on to keep the focus on GOD. If we would just take it at his word.. He will and always meet our needs in ways that we will never quite comprehend..
I fail him daily but I thank him for his never ending faithfulness.
Can't wait to hear how your son and you are doing..
Love ya
lovely site...lovely thoughts!
Wow! Thats awesome stuff Sheryl!
I want the faith that is constantly full and never wavering.
I gotta pray long and hard each day to stay at that level. My stupid need to control gets in the way. :)
Praying for you this Sunday.
Big hugs,
Fran
Now that's a WORD, friend! When I was in Maui, I had an experience that caused me to ponder this very topic. I'd love to share it with you:
http://travelingtheroadhome.blogspot.com/2008/04/matter-of-trust.html
Thanks so much for reminding me again of why our God is the ONLY one worthy of our trust and faith!
Hugs to you this day,
Melinda
Was going to email you, but didn't see an address. You don't have to publish this, as I just wanted you to know that this thing WAS a little freaky - Just freaky in a totally God kinda way! :o)
Fun that you were at Pantylines...great book idea, isn't it?
I'm hugging your neck right now!
Melinda
I was here!!!
I know what you mean here Sheryl. Just as I think I am stronger in my walk in faith I relaize how much farther I need to yet grow in it!
Keep the faith girl!! I do pray all is going well withyou!!
In His Graces~Pamela
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