It’s been a tough week: Crazy days at work, feeling overwhelmed as I see family members struggling, and taking on stress. This atmosphere around me dampens my ability to believe that God is at work.
I believe. Such a simple statement yet it is so deeply misunderstood. If I say I believe then I can’t doubt God’s ability to accomplish things. So, do I truly believe that God is able or am I trusting in my own ability to do things?
Do I believe in the all-powerful God – Omnipotent? He is able to do ALL things.
Do I believe in the God who is everywhere – Omnipresent? He can care for my family even though we are far from each other.
Do I believe in the One who is all knowing – Omniscient? He knows every struggle, ever tear, every heart cry.
If He is indeed all of these things, I definitely have Him in a box—a box that I haven’t thought through, yet it is there just the same. So, how can I adjust my thinking to reflect the Omni-characteristics of God?
When I read about the things God did, I need to remember He hasn’t changed. He has the same power, the same purpose because He is same (yesterday, today and forever). The God that delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians by parting the Red Sea is the same God who is at work in my life. This same Jesus who healed the blind, raised the dead, and lifted the lame to walk again, is the same Jesus who has chosen me to walk with Him. And, the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells within me and helps me to live, breathe and believe all that God wants for me.
So when faced with a diagnosis from the doctor, with family issues, or with situations that are too big for me to handle, I need to see God for how big He is. He knows what’s going on. He knows what I need. He knows what needs to happen for hearts to change. He is at work in and around me, orchestrating circumstances so I will believe how big He is.
When I read about the father who faced impossible odds in Mark 9:22-24, He simply says, “Help me with my unbelief.”
What a humble and simple request. It’s like saying, God, I know I am supposed to believe you are able, but my mind is in the way. I have you in a box and I am seeing the obstacles just like the eight spies when they were sent to spy out the land. I want to believe You for the amazing, just like Joshua and Caleb did; I want to believe that despite the obstacles, you are going to provide and fight on my behalf to bring about your plan.
Like the father in Mark chapter nine, I can be honest with God and ask for help to believe. Faith and trust are built as we live our lives with Him in the forefront. We step out in faith and our ability to believe grows exponentially as we ask for His help.
I believe that my extended family situations are seen by my Heavenly Father. I believe He will provide needs, change hearts, and turn things around to the right way. I believe He will guard us with His right hand.
I believe God will help us to remember that we are not one another’s enemies; Satan is the real enemy and God has equipped us with power in Christ to cause him to get lost! I believe He will tell Satan to take the high road and not allow him victory over us as we stay connected to Him.
What do you face today? Are you struggling to believe He is able to help? Will you ask, “Lord, help my unbelief” when struggling with what your mind says, rather than what God’s word says?
Wanting to live like I believe,
Jeanne
This is great, Jeanne. Interestingly, I recently finished a book, a novel, written by Dave Jackson, called "Harry Bentley's Second Sight." In a nutshell, Harry has serious eye issues and he fears he's going blind. He is all about the "what if's" of such a thing, and, though a BELIEVER, he has serious doubts and questions. As a member of a men's Bible study group, he asks about that verse in the bible . . . what does it mean? Isn't it contradictory? It's a wonderful story and a deep lesson in this very subject.
ReplyDeleteDave Jackson is husband of Neta Jackson of the Yada Yada Prayer Group book series. Google them if you're interested.
Thanks for such a thoughtful blog post.
Thanks for this, Peg. I will look up this title; sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have read one of the Yada Yada books.
I don't think there is any doubt that believers believe, but how much do we believe God for....He is able to do far more than we imagine.
Jeanne
Jeanne, I believe most of us put God in a box from time to time. I am constantly reminding myself to "live like I believe" just as you said. This was an excellent article. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat. It is so good to be reminded of the power and goodness of God.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by,
Jeanne
Pat, I don't know why, but I'm not finding the father story in any of the gospels.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am facing is somewhat as you, that our family is not our enemy, but Satan is the real enemy.
What a beautiful and honest article.
I am the worst worry wart and I needed to read your article.
Bless you, Jeanne
Thank you again Jeanne for sharing God's Word and God's Way.
ReplyDeleteGod's timing in gracing you with His Message is impeccable. (No surprise.)
May God's Blessings and Peace be with you and your entire family.
Tom
Jean & Tom,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments and I am glad this was timely for whatever you face today.
He is able!!
Jeanne
Jean Ann, the story is in Mark, chapter 9, about the father who's son was possessed by demons beginning with verse 17 through 24. :)
ReplyDeleteMy apologies everyone....I had the wrong chapter listed. I have made the correction. It should be Mark Chapter nine.
ReplyDeleteJeanne
Thanks, Peg, it is a beautiful point about our unbelief.
ReplyDeleteI have been given permission to post the following comment:
ReplyDeleteJEANNE......YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE THIS!!!! This prayer is the exact prayer I just, last night, prayed to the Lord. I have been feeling like I'm losing my faith...sounds so awful, but I'm so grateful for this blog posting. It is speaking directly to my heart and to my circumstances. Thank you for your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as He leads you in your writing...the beautiful gift He has given you.
Jeanne, I am the same way. At times, I tend to have an "I believe, but...." belief. I'm not even sure I can verbalize what goes through my thought process, but it's almost as if I SAY I know He'll do so-and-so that that's when I'm putting Him in a box. As if because I say I believe, then He has to do it. So instead, I tend to pray, wondering if my request meets His will, or am I expecting Him to follow my lead?
ReplyDeletePraise God there is no question about my salvation!! Yes, Lord, help me with my unbelief!
Thanks for the different slant on this...
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, this is not a profess it-possess it idea....this is about Him being ABLE to do anything eventhough He may choose not to in some situations. It is believing He is big enough, powerful enough, etc.
My belief in Him as my Lord and Savior is settled--no question there.
It is about the day to day things that I fail to bring to Him because I can do it myself...or I think He is too busy for something trivial. And, it is for the big things that I begin to see the obstacles which dampen my ability to believe, casting doubt over my soul.
Make sense?
Jeanne
I don't think our belief is a switch, something we either have on or off. I think it is something that grows. In time, my faith should be greater than my doubts.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started flying lessons, I believed that the plane could fly, and that I wouldn't fall out of the sky. I was nervous, I had doubts, but I got in the plane anyway. Over time, as my confidence and skill grew, so did my assurance. Now, I have no more issue with getting in a plane as getting in a car.
I think that's what God wants for us. Just enough faith to get in the plane and keep getting in. He'll take care of the growth.
Well said, Kenneth. I agree wholeheartedly. Your metaphor with getting into your plane hits it right on the head.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your thoughts.,
Jeanne
It is indeed amazing when we think that the same One who threw the galaxies into the night sky and named every star; who was the pillar of fire and smoke guiding the Israelites out of Egypt and by whose hand we all exist, is the same One who wants to be invited into the details of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI have admittedly struggled at times with my faith. Even though I saw and felt His glory back in 1985, there have been moments of doubt during specific hardships.
One such hardship, like the father in Mark 9, is having a mute child. I have never heard the simple words 'I love you' coming from Matthew's lips.
Exodus 4:11 (NIV) says:
The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
It is a comfort to me, knowing that it is in God's hands to keep speech from my son's lips. It is in His plan to do so. God is indeed omniscient and all-knowing. His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways.
If I have to wait to hear Matthew speak until the moment we are both in Heaven, at the feet of Christ and I can hear Matt praising Him at His throne, then so be it. If I have to wait until we both have our new glorified bodies, then that is okay with me. I can wait. But waiting on Him is HARD.
When we were told by Matt's neurologists and speech pathologist that he would never speak, my initial silent reaction was; 'Yeah, but you apparently don't know my God'.
But after 18+ years without speech, I have come to rely on His promises.
Oh no--I NEVER thought you were saying this is a "Profess it-Possess it" mentality. I'm just confessing my own struggles with unbelief!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I believe just as you said, that God CAN do everything, but He may choose not to do what I want Him to do.
It's a constant reminder that His ways are higher than mine!
Thanks for a great post. :-)
Oh, so true, Vonda. God is above us in all things.
ReplyDeleteMarc,
ReplyDeleteI have watched your faith grow as you have grappled with these tough questions. You and Kelly are an inspiration to many and Matt has a special spot in God's heart.
Hugs,
Jeanne