It was faith that brought Isaac into Abraham’s arms.
Faith that kept Peter up when he walked on water.
Faith that helped Moses lead the Israelites across the Red Sea.
Faith that healed the blind man calling out to Jesus and faith that restored the health of the bleeding women.
Faith that caused the walls of Jericho to fall and the sun to stand still.
Faith that got Joseph through many years of waiting in the dungeon and David through many years of hiding in the desert.
Faith is such a beautiful thing.
In Hebrews it is defined as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”.
It’s having confidence that God will come through for us even when nothing in our life gives us reason to prove that He will.
It’s believing that He will answer your prayer for a baby just like He did for Sarah and Abraham even after years of no answer.
It’s believing that when you are stuck at a dead end like Joseph and your dreams are not even close to being fulfilled that He will still find a way out for you and a place for you to begin.
It’s believing that when after years of struggling with your sickness and your pain like the blind man and the bleeding woman that with just a single touch from God you will be healed and whole again.
It’s believing that when you step off the boat like Peter, out of your comfort zone and into the unknown He will be right there beside you, helping you take every single shaky step.
I have been learning that faith looks different for everyone, and sometimes having faith requires taking action, and other times faith means standing still.
A preacher once said that faith is action motivated. It’s like a motion door that won’t open until you start moving.
And in many cases I believe that is true.
Before Peter could walk on water he first had to step out of the boat. (Matthew 14:22-33)
Before the lady with the bleeding issue could be healed she first had to reach out to Jesus. (Mark 5:25-34)
Before the walls of Jericho fell Joshua and his men marched around it for seven days. (Joshua 6)
In each one of these situations people had to prove their faith by taking action, by being obedient to what God tells them to do even if it meant being out of their comfort zone or doing something that made no sense.
And it’s the same for us.
We want great things to happen in our lives.
We want testimonies of God working in our lives.
We want to fulfill that desire, that vision, that dream God has places in our hearts.
But… we won’t even take one step.
Because it might mean walking on water like Peter.
Or reaching out like the bleeding woman.
And it’s safer to stay in our comfort zones.
But our comfort zones will never get us anywhere.
Another aspect of faith is the complete opposite of taking action, it’s standing still.
It’s patiently waiting when nothing seems to be happening.
It’s not taking things into your own hands like Abraham and Sarah when they tried to “help God out” by having their own child through Hagar.
It’s not killing your enemy Saul like David when he is hunting you in the desert and you know that your rightful place will one day be on his throne and you can just hurry up the process by getting rid of him.
It’s not giving up on your dream like Joseph even when you have no power whatsoever to take action in fulfilling it.
It’s waiting without complaining, without doubt, and without questions knowing that if God makes you a promise He will bring it to pass in His timing, without your help.
Sometimes the hard part in faith is knowing when you should take action or when you should stand still.
When to get out of your comfort zone or when to stay right where you’re at.
In most cases it’s a combination of both.
You want a job? You need to send out your resume to a few places… then you wait for a response.
You want a healing? You pray and seek counsel from a doctor… and then you wait for an answer.
You want to embark on a new journey toward your dreams? You set goals, you take steps… and then you wait for God to take it further when you can’t anymore.
First you pray, then (with Holy Spirit’s guidance) you move, and then you wait.
Wait for God’s answer.
Wait for God’s provision
Wait for God’s guidance.
And when God sees your faith prayers will be answered, mountains will move, sicknesses will be healed, battles will be won, dreams will be fulfilled, and doors will be opened.
Today… ask God to show you what you can do to have faith in Him.
What steps you can take to move a little closer to His will for your life.
Or in what ways you can help yourself remain still and confident in Him if He wants you to simply wait on His timing.
Remember that nothing is impossible for Him if you only believe.
And maybe the road ahead may be uncertain, it may be difficult, it may even be lonely, but never forget that you have nothing to fear because you will never have to walk it alone.
Jesus is right beside you and He’ll help you walk out your faith with Him.
Be blessed and walk strong in Him! -Anna… ♥
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” –Matthew 17:20
Reblogged this on Living in the Light of Jesus' Words and commented:
This speaks of the kind active faith that we need today.
I reblogged this because it is such an inspiration to me. I know it will bless those who are followers of my blog. Thank you for allowing me to reblog this!
That’s awesome Pam! May it bless everyone who reads it. Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Reblogged this on Hodgepodge 4 the Soul™ and commented:
Always growing…
I love your story. Thank you! I need it. We are having faith. God’s moving our family to Alaska to open and care for a homeless teen place. We’ve only known this for less than 7 months. We’re still packing, sorting, giving, and selling stuff aaand God’s having us wait. It’s kinda peaceful but kinda also not fun. I know He’s preparing things before we are even there yet. Ready to do this work and also a little sad about the stories we know we’ll be hearing. Prayers are always welcome. This is much bigger than just our family.
Wow. What an incredible ministry God has placed on your family’s heart. Not everyone can leave a life of comfort and security so that they can be fully used by God on the mission field. May He give you peace in your time of waiting as He prepares everything ahead for your family and may He give you the wisdom, strength, and guidance you need daily to fulfill the call He has placed upon your life. It certainly won’t be easy, but it will be so worth it for everyone who comes to know Christ because of your sacrifice and work. Sending blessings and prayers your way!
once again Anna you have hit the nail on the head for me, i needed that encouragement today, I have been out of work for five months and finding employment opportunities difficult. But I do have faith that it will come in his timing and his plan for me. but its always good to be encouraged.
Thank You and God Bless
That’s great! Being jobless isn’t easy but our God never runs out of resources and new opportunities! May He open a door for you at the right time as you keep praying and trusting Him!
Reblogged this on A Model of Life and commented:
A Reminder For Me
Good word! We must listen to the Holy Spirit to determine if it’s a “wait and see” moment or a “go up and fight” opportunity. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks and amen! It is only with the Holy Spirit’s guidance that we will know what it is we ought to do and when 🙂 I’m so thankful we have Him in our life!
I gave a lesson two weeks ago about Faith and my youth class loved it(; then I read yours and I thought wow I had a lecture about that! (:
That’s awesome! I love it when you hear the same message in different places/ways. 🙂 God must really be speaking to your heart about faith right now!
Wow, this is totally relevant for me right now-in general life and in my writing. I’ve been looking more and more into traditional vs self publishing and just doing anything is going to take investment and faith. It feels like a really big challenge. But God’s plan will come through!
Hi Jessica, Yes He will! It wouldn’t be called faith if it wasn’t a little bit of a challenge for us, right? May He give you the boldness you need to take those steps in your writing and trust Him to guide you and get you through! Be blessed!
Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Jesus, Saviour , Redeemer, please give us wisdom to know when to act and when to stand still and wait for you to fight the battle.
Amen!
Very inspiring! Love it!
Thank you. Be blessed!
Religion and the teachings of great Lord God always has a lot to offer. It reminds me of Alexander Pope’s “Essay on Man” where he has discussed beautifully about hope that kindles in our heart. It is indeed Lord God’s biggest gift to mankind. We remain optimistic and hopeful about a better future. The chapters and secrets of future are therefore concealed because faith has to be there 🙂
Thanks for sharing wisdom through this post, Loved it!
Thanks! That sounds like an intriguing essay. I will have to read it soon! Hope certainly is one of the greatest gift God gives us. In Him we have new hope every day no matter what circumstances we are in, if not for our future here on earth then for our future with Him in eternity!
It starts with the fact that God hides the book of fate in certain ways where the chapters of present and past are known but not the secrets of future. Then there is this example of a lambs who enjoys the present day food from hands which in future will raise to kill them. We know nothing about our future (the destiny) may be because if we would know about our future sufferings, the world will be pessimistic and sad. Rather, God planted hope: an the line says:
“Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never is, but always to be blessed:
The soul, uneasy and confined from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.”
wow you are such an anointed writer i love your stories God bless you