View Current Crisis as a Faith Builder for Future
What
crisis could come in my life of joy and comfort? Life is a joy. Even raindrops
fall smiling. Each flower sings a song.
crisis could come in my life of joy and comfort? Life is a joy. Even raindrops
fall smiling. Each flower sings a song.
What could come into my life to disturb me? During a Bible
Study, a wise man said, “If you have not suffered, your faith will not
grow.” I pondered these words for days. What could take away my joy and
celebration of life?
Then, most unexpectedly, I became a caregiver for
almost seven years to my husband, and he left me, memory by memory. My life
changed from someone who rejoiced in living to a caretaker. After moving nearer
to one of our children; we followed our usual pattern of breakfast, eye drops,
blood pressure reading, and soaking his foot. With his usual wit, my husband
commented, “That is what you get for getting a ‘used’ husband.”
What is the name your crisis will have? Is it
sickness, death of a loved one, or another calamity causing unexpected
discomfort and grief? Will it grow your faith, or will it sprout seeds of
bitterness, impatience, and anger?
Warren Wiersbe said, “A faith that cannot be
tested, cannot be trusted.” Awareness of the heart and mind of things
around us is necessary. Especially, when our testing time
comes. We choose whether to believe in our Creator. And we choose to follow
Him who made us, or will we turn our backs on Him?
On a cloudy night, we may not see with our eyes the stars in the sky. Yet we
know the stars exist and still shine, for the Mighty One created each one.
We
may not see the wind, but when we encounter a wind storm, we know its presence.
may not see the wind, but when we encounter a wind storm, we know its presence.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times
are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
Psalm 31:14-15.
We are often afraid to be alone, and these verses bring us comfort and
assurance. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide
in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My
refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm
91:1-2.
Hebrews Eleven contains the Roll Call of those who lived ‘By Faith.’ Why
do we see their name included in this list? They believed God and trusted Him
with their lives. They did not always understand the ‘Why?’ Yet, they believed.
The Heroes of Faith include Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob,
and Moses. And many more. And then Jesus came.
The very next Chapter reveals our cheering
section of those who came before and trusted God even when things did not seem
possible. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so
closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set
before us, looking to Jesus, the founder, and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured
the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of
the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2.
section of those who came before and trusted God even when things did not seem
possible. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so
closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set
before us, looking to Jesus, the founder, and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured
the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of
the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2.
God has a purpose for each of us.
Or, will we tell sad stories dripping with ‘poor me’ tears through all our
years? Tucked in Chapter 11 of Hebrews is this brief verse telling us why we
need faith. And without faith, it is impossible to
please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6.
Or, will we tell sad stories dripping with ‘poor me’ tears through all our
years? Tucked in Chapter 11 of Hebrews is this brief verse telling us why we
need faith. And without faith, it is impossible to
please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6.
One
day my sixth-grade student asked me during class where God came from. Taking
a deep breath, God gave me this verse…In the beginning, God created the
heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1. This is the beginning of our
faith. In the beginning, God!
day my sixth-grade student asked me during class where God came from. Taking
a deep breath, God gave me this verse…In the beginning, God created the
heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1. This is the beginning of our
faith. In the beginning, God!
When
life seems impossible and there seems nowhere to turn, this is when we remember
this verse. For nothing will be
impossible with God. Luke 1:37. The angel who visited Mary and told
her she would have a son named Jesus. Her relative Elizabeth also conceived a
son in her old age. God does the impossible.
When the Israelites, bound by slavery, fled Egypt, God had a plan. They crossed
the Red Sea as Moses parted the waters. The people recognized the power
of God and believed. They saw the power God has over life and death as the dead
Egyptians lay dead on the seashore. What does it take for us to believe and
follow Him alone?
Thus
the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians and
Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel
saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the
people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and
in his servant Moses. Exodus 14:30-31.
the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians and
Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel
saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the
people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and
in his servant Moses. Exodus 14:30-31.
Over
and over we forget and reminded of how great our Lord is.
O
my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. My God
in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph
on my enemies. Psalm
59:9-10.
my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. My God
in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph
on my enemies. Psalm
59:9-10.
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