Dear Friends,
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
Using Galatians, we have been looking at ways to examine how well we are doing in our walk with Christ. Last week we concentrated on goodness. This week we are looking at the question, “What do we do when our FAITHFULNESS is challenged?”
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! Lamentations 3:22-24
With each sunrise, we are reminded that God is faithful, but the day that follows that sunrise can hold events that severely test our faith. Being faithful is easy when life is easy, but life can get messy. When life seems to be crashing down around you, “All things work together for good” may seem Pollyannaish. The loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or that call from the doctor can leave us asking, “Where are you now, God?”
Faith may be that ember of hope that fails to be extinguished when the storms of life overwhelm us. “An example of faith was found on the wall of a concentration camp. On it a prisoner had carved the words: I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine. I believe in love, even when it isn’t shown. I believe in God, even when he doesn’t speak.”1
So, what can you do to reignite the flame of hope when faithfulness falters? Confess any lack of faith. In Mark 9:18-28 we read the story of a young boy who suffered from seizures. When Jesus questioned the faith of the boy’s father, “The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!’” Did Jesus condemn the father for his lack of faith – NO! He healed the boy. 24-7 faith is amazing, but very rare.
“Our failures don’t forfeit God’s faithfulness.” ― Alisa Hope Wagner, Eve of Awakening
Don’t hold it in. God is a wonderful listener. Unlike people, he is never tempted to micro manage your life. “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 (NIV)
Remember God’s track record. “I think about all the things you did. I think about what you have done.”
Psalm 77:12 (ICB)
Worry less by praying more. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV) “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:4 (NIV)
Pray expectantly. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7; Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Wait. “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NRSV)
Focus on eternity.Today is but a small wrinkle in the fabric of time. Take the long view! “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Never under-estimate God’s power. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Blessings,
Your friends in Christ
1Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado
Because He Loves Us Press 