Faith is a choice

“Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God?””―John 11:40

People always ask me: “Why do you have faith? Why do you believe?” And I always answer: “How can I not believe? How can I not have faith?” CS Lewis said: “I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun. Not because I can see it but because by it, I can see everything else.” That’s exactly how I feel.

God is everywhere. You can see Him in the smile of a baby or the breathtaking colors of a sunset. You can see Him in creation, in the kindness of others, in the healing of the sick, or when the impossible happen. For me, it all comes down to this; you cannot see what you don’t believe. Faith is a choice (Hebrews 11:23-28). What you choose to believe defines you and ultimately influences what you perceive and experience. If a person chooses not to believe, how would such a person be able to experiences the wonder or glory of God? It would be like walking through a beautiful garden with your eyes closed.

The sad reality is that some people will always look for reasons not to believe, but in the end, it’s up to us to decide whether we believe or not. God cannot make us choose Him. “At its root, this is what faith is. It is not about believing in God. It’s believing God.”―RC Sproul.

Keep believing

“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”―Numbers 23:19

Holding on to hope and faith in a broken world is a battle I think most of us are familiar with, but it is a battle that is necessary and one that we are not fighting alone (Hebrews 13:5). God has promised that if we keep on believing and hold fast to the hope He has set before us, we will not be disappointed, and we will see all His promises come to pass (Hebrews 6:13-20).

The ultimate truth is; where there is hope, there could only be faith, and where there is faith, miracles happen. We should never underestimate the power of God. I have seen how a single prayer of faith can bring healing, save people from darkness, and change lives for the better. Nothing is impossible if we truly believe in the power of God (Luke 1:37).

Hold on to your faith, keep on fighting, keep on believing, and don’t lose hope―God knows what He is doing, and He will keep His promises (Hebrews 10:23).

“And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”―Matthew 21:21-22

Tears are prayers too

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”—Psalm 56:8

Living is not always easy. Hardship, loss, emotional turmoil, disappointment, and pain are all realities of life; realities we unfortunately have to face and deal with on a regular basis. God has never said that life is going to be easy, in fact, Jesus warned us to expect the exact opposite—hardship and persecution from the world (John 16:33). God did, however, said that He sees all our tears, and has promise to bring healing: “…This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you…’” 2 Kings 20:5.

Isn’t it comforting to know that we have a God that sees all our tears and collects them? That even if we have no words, our tears still find their way to God’s ears…

Scripture tells us that God is close to the brokenhearted, and that He rescues those whose spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:18), that He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).

In Isaiah 43 God tells us that we have nothing to fear, that He is with us always—even if we have to walk through fires of oppression, go through deep waters, or rivers of difficulty. He will never leave or forsake us: “…because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you,” (Isaiah 43:4).

Take comfort in the knowing that God sees your pain, even when you have no words. He will help and strengthen you (Isaiah 41:10).

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.”—Jeremiah 30:17

God is love

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.” —1 John 7-9

Today in church, I could literally feel God’s presence surrounding His children. What I mostly experience in this holy presence was love. An unconditional, unwavering love…

This experience in church today just made me realize again how much God loves us. He gave up His only Son so that we could live (John 3:16). How fortunate and blessed are we to have a Father that loves us that much?

We don’t have to make God love us, He already does. All we have to do is to accept His love and believe. “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16).

Take comfort in the knowing that you are not alone—you are special, and you are very much loved (Isaiah 43:4).

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”—Romans 5:5

Purpose for your pain

 

“Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”—1 Peter 5:9-10

The last few months haven’t been easy for me. I have had to endure quite a lot of pain and loss, which made me question God’s purpose for me here on earth. It’s not easy to always understand why things happen the way they do.

I found my peace in Jerry Bridges words: “God never allows pain without a purpose in the lives of His children. He never allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us unless He uses that affliction for our good. God never wastes pain. He always causes it to work together for our ultimate good, the good of conforming us more to the likeness of His Son.”

I believe that God ultimately has a purpose for our pain: that out of the ashes of pain and hardship something beautiful will be born (Romans 8:18).

Maybe we have to go through all of these hurtful experiences so that we can realize just how strong we are. Or maybe God allows us to go through these experiences so that we can later help others. 2 Corinthians 1, verses 4 and 6 reads: “God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things.”

Take comfort in the knowing that God sees your pain and your tears and that He is “close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” (Psalm 34:18). We can take courage in the fact that He is working everything for our good even the most difficult life situations (Romans 8:28).

Worry ends when faith begins

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”—John 14:27

Last week I was browsing for a gift for someone when I happened to come across a wooden quote board with the words: “Worry ends when faith begins.”

Worry ends when faith begins—it’s that simple! Where there is faith, there can only be peace (John 14:27).

God doesn’t want us to worry about tomorrow or the future (Matthew 6:34), He wants us to give our troubles to Him (1 Peter 5:7). God promises in His Word that He will provide for His children (Philippians 4:19), and that He will protect them (2 Timothy 4:18).

Keeping the faith in tough times is hard, believe me—I know! It’s not easy not to feel anxious or troubled when you or your loved ones face danger or uncertainty. But if there is one thing I can absolutely testify to, is that God does provide, and He does care. As Corrie Ten Boom has stated: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

We cannot always control what happens around or with us, but we can control what we think and what we believe. Our faith is what sets us free. If you believe that God will protect you, that He will provide for you, that He will help and heal you, then that is what God will do (Mark 11:24).

Take comfort in the knowing that we serve a powerful and almighty God—there is nothing He can’t do. You don’t need to fear the darkest valley (Psalm 23:4), the weapons of men (Isaiah 54:17), sickness or disasters (Psalm 91). You are the child of the great Protector. You are the child of a king.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”—John 14:1

Beauty out of ashes

 

“To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” — Isaiah 61:3

Lately I have been struggling to find the beauty and joy around me. Everywhere I turn there is ugliness, hate and suffering. The things people do to each other, themselves and other living things is numbing. It’s tough to keep the faith when there is so much darkness and so little goodness. Then I found Isaiah 61:3.

Isaiah 61:3 made me realize that there is always a possibility for good, even in this fallen and broken world. Examples from the Bible are plentiful. Just think about the amazing story of Joseph (Genesis 39-50) where God used the sinful intent of his brothers for great good. Another two powerful examples are the stories of Esther and Ruth where God worked all things together for good. But I think the most significant story of them all, is the story of Christ. Not only was His life full of wonder and miracles, but after He had suffered and died at the hand of men (Matthew 27:32-56), Jesus rose from the grave and human history was altered forever for the better.

God’s Word is clear—there is always potential for good in all that happens, particularly if we don’t just look at the outward circumstances. All we need to keep on fighting the good fight, is faith. Faith gives hope which ultimately changes perspectives.

The contemporary worship song In His Time puts these truths to music with these words: “In His time; in His time He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord, please show me every day as You’re teaching me Your way that You do just what You say in Your time.”